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South Hinksey Fete
Sunday 9th September proved to be a brief island of calm, warm weather in the midst of a week of rain, and South Hinksey made the most of it. The grass had been mown and the horses had moved out of the field to allow us access. By midday the square of ground behind the village hall looked thoroughly festive. The (donations) beer tent did a roaring trade, as did the barbecue, which had particularly delicious sausages.
As for the ice-‐creams, well the sauces were out of this world. In case it seems as if the whole occasion was just about food, we had lots of entertainment, ranging from bouncing on the castle to splatting the rat and naming the donkey -‐ oh, and trying to outwit the human fruit machine. Children’s games occupied the centre of the space, while the annual egg-‐throwing contest moved over to rougher ground and was won, for the first time, by the men. I haven’t mentioned any names, because there were so many. Thanks to everyone who ran a stall or helped in other ways, not forgetting the setters-‐up and clearers-‐away. It was a great day and we look forward to seeing you all again next year. Date for your diary: The 2013 fete will be on the afternoon of Sunday, September 15th 2013
SOUTH HINKSEY ECHO
Volume 12, number 3 September 2012
www.southhinksey.org
Message from the organizers The South Hinksey fete made a profit of about £150. We have added to this from the “cushion” built up in previous years and have been able to give donations to Medecins Sans Frontieres and Vale
House, Botley, of £75 each. This leaves a little over £200 in the bank for next year’s expenses. If anyone would like to see more precise figures, please contact Linda Slater.
South Hinksey Parish Council Community Woodland The woodland next to Chilswell Path is now five years old, and thriving. Although still young, it is hoped that it will become a valuable community asset and provide a place for family and community activities, as well as improving the ecology of the area. The Parish Council has been working with Prof Riki Therivel from Oxford Brookes University on a development plan for the woodland. It is planned that by next spring there will be two paths running through the woodland; signposts; and a bench with a plaque to recognize the work done by Clive Briffett in establishing the woodland. All this, as well as all the maintenance costs, is covered by grants from the Forestry Commission and the Trust for Oxfordshire's Environment. The Parish Council would like to thank them, Riki Therivel, Sany Nahhas and Hilary Briffett for their continued support. Footbridge over railway Network Rail will be replacing the footbridge that connects the Devil's Backbone to Hinksey Lake and Lake Street. Their plan is to replace the existing bridge with a similar, but higher, one. The Parish Council and Peter Rawcliffe are working with Network Rail, the County Council and other local authorities to see if we can achieve a new bridge with ramp access, to allow it to be used by people with small children and pushchairs, people with wheelchairs and poor mobility, and cyclists. The work is scheduled to take place between January and March 2013. This will mean a time when access to the city via the path is unavailable. The Parish Council will keep the parish updated on progress – please see later article for more information.
Old Pub Car Park The Parish Council would like to thank all those parishioners who've helped to maintain the Old Pub Car Park on Manor Road. Unfortunately, due to the poor weather this summer there hasn't been much opportunity to use it, but parishioners are encouraged to use the site. More information can be found on the parish website: www.southhinksey.org or from the Parish Clerk (details below). Hinksey Hill traffic issues The Council, and particularly Cllr Liz LeFevre, continues to campaign for safer roads along Hinksey Hill. The anti-‐skid surface at the top of Hinksey Hill is due to be replaced in the next financial year; the County Council will be cutting back vegetation to provide a clear footway along Hinksey Hill. They will also be installing a speed indicator device that will rotate around different sites in the area. A recent police report highlighted that the majority of traffic still exceeds the speed limit along Hinksey Hill. The Parish Council is also campaigning for temporary speed cameras. Website David Rawcliffe recently redesigned the Parish website and the Parish Council would like to thank him for his hard work. Information about the community and the Parish Council can be found on the site: www.southhinksey.org. Finance The Council received very positive reports from the auditors recently for 2011/12. The Council's finances remain in a strong position -‐ the burial ground maintenance is now almost entirely funded through burial fees. Expenditure is in budget for this current year. All the Council's financial information is available to the public, and you can contact Sheridan Edward for any details. Parish Councillor Vacancies Sandra Bingham has resigned from the Council because of increased work commitments. We would like to thank her for her contribution. There are now two vacancies on the council. Ideally, there should be five members. Since Sandra resigned there are only three. Whilst this is legally enough to continue the Council it is too few in practice. If we loose one more Councillor, the Council would cease to function, and South Hinksey would probably be taken over by Kennington. Please volunteer, or risk losing the Parish Council for good.
If you would like any more information about any of the above, or you would like the Parish Council to tackle any other issues, please contact the Parish Clerk, Sheridan Edward, on 07720 052572 or [email protected].
Annual Cricket Match vs North Hinksey It was time for the second annual cricket Battle of the Hinkseys. Those who love cricket, enjoyed either playing or watching, and those who know little about the game, enjoyed relaxing in good company and good weather. This year it was our turn to triumph, though only by a small margin. Those who understand these things tell me that our team owed a great deal to the captaincy of James Mallinson. We would like to thank Peter Rawcliffe for organising the event and Maggie for organising the teas. Grateful thanks are also due to Rickety Bridge Wines for so generously donating the prizes, and to our MP Nicola Blackwood for presenting them.
Date for your diary: The 2013 cricket match will be at 2pm on Sunday, September 1st.
Wildflowers The wildflower meadow has not been spectacular this year. This was partly because of the relentless rain over the summer and partly because the grass was not cut at the best time. There were, however, some flowers there if you knew where to look for them. The cowslips are now well established; red campion flowered early at the far end of the meadow by the trees; the dropwort, closer to the path, was really striking later in the year. We don't think any plants have been totally lost, and hope to see more of them all next spring and summer.
Kennington Health Centre We are pleased to announce that Dr Katharina Winkel and Dr Emma Warren will both be staying with our practice. We hope that this will enable the practice to continue to provide a full number of sessions each week and that you will get to know these GPs and welcome them as part of our team. Flu Clinics will run in early October. If you are over 65 or have been recommended
for the flu jab please contact the reception to book your appointment. We are still finding that 40-‐50 patients per week do not turn up for their appointments. We do understand that things may change after you have made an appointment. Please call to cancel so that we may offer these appointments to other patients. We are often asked why do GPs run late? There are a number of reasons including dealing with an emergency or a particularly complex consultation through to patients who bring a "list" of matters to discuss. At the end of such consultations the GP still needs to write up notes. It is not in the best interest of patients to "time watch". Please be patient while waiting and remember the GPs have patients’ interests at heart when they run late -‐ one day it may be you! We are having a new roof fitted -‐ work will be ongoing until early October. There may be some noises from the roof while you are in the practice but please be assured that confidentiality will be maintained while your consultation takes place. Dave Dixon, Practice Manager -‐ Kennington Health Centre, 01865 730911
Saint Laurence Church Numbers at the weekly services of St Lawrence Church have been going down for a number of years, and particularly in the past two. This is obviously a real problem for a community who gather regularly to worship almighty God. The Parochial Church Council has been discussing this over a number of months and has decided to convene a meeting on Sunday 21st October 2012 to discuss a way forward. Regular members of the congregation, those living in the village or on Hinksey Hill as well as the congregation from St John’s are all invited to come.
4 pm Tea and cake followed by discussion
5pm Evensong. As the evenings draw in I commend this familiar prayer to you:
Lighten our darkness we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only son, our saviour Jesus Christ, Amen.
Please join us on the 21st. Fr James Wilkinson Parish Priest
The Proposed New Railway Bridge
If you have been following the recent flurry of messages on Shinfo you will know that Network Rail are planning to replace the footbridge linking South Hinksey to Oxford. The old bridge presented a formidable obstacle to cyclists, buggy-‐pushers and the less mobile; the new one will be even higher. For some time local residents had been campaigning for ramps to ease access and the campaign is gathering speed. On October 13th, County Councillor Arash Fatemian was “ambushed” at his regular surgery in the Village Hall by a group of villagers of all ages bringing bikes and buggies to make their point. (We know that the bridge is also important to many of the residents of the Hill who use it as a regular route into town, but inspiration for the gathering only struck a couple of hours in advance!) Arash agreed to help by arranging a public meeting, and was also able to suggest a few more lines of approach and provide names of contacts within the Council. We are very grateful to him for his help. We are also grateful to local representatives who signed the official letter to the Minister for Transport, and to all those who have written individually. We will keep everyone posted via Shinfo.
Upcoming events in South Hinksey
Friday 26th October – Halloween Party, 5:30 – 8pm, South Hinksey Village Hall
We have decided once again to share our Halloween extravaganza with the children and parents of Stepping Stones Pre-‐school in North Hinksey. As Mock-‐pubbers and villagers alike, you are most welcome to attend – this is traditionally one of the year’s very best events. There is a small charge for attending, £2.50 per child or £5 per family, which can be paid on the night. Any funds raised will be donated to Stepping Stones Pre-‐school. RSVP would be helpful in order to get an indication of numbers:
[email protected] or 07876137955 or 32 Manor Road, OX1 5AS. Fancy dress for children (and parents if feeling adventurous!) • There will be dancing, party games & a prize for the best fancy dress. • Bring along a carved pumpkin to enter into our competition. • Nibbles will be available and a donations bar will be providing alcohol
and soft drinks.
Anyone that can devote a small amount of time to the creation of a game, decorating of the hall, or organising the food, would be much appreciated. Friday 14th December -‐ The South Hinksey Christmas Party, from 6:00 pm, South Hinksey Village Hall Open to all, and starting with a visit from Santa himself, the music will be supplied by our very own locally grown talent, the ‘Little-‐Donkey’ House Band, who will provide the perfect accompaniment to a round of carol singing. As the evening progresses and the younger villagers head to bed, a top ranked DJ (ahem!) will be spinning some flat-‐ones allowing those who wish to strut their funky stuff. To help soothe tired vocal chords and distract from aching limbs there will be a donations bar with mulled wine, beer, wine, soft drinks.
Approximate schedule: ·∙ Doors open 6:00pm ·∙ Santa arrives 6:45pm ·∙ Carols 7:15pm ·∙ Everything else is when we feel like it! To assess anticipated numbers please contact Adrian: [email protected], 07876137955, 32 Manor Road
Please bring your child a labeled present for Santa to hand out. If you are able to bring a snack, please could those on Manor Road bring something sweet, and everyone else please bring something savory. Volunteers needed to help decorate the hall on Thursday 13th December (probably) and to help organize the event both in advance and on the night. This is your village, so spread the word and once again let’s make this year a Christmas to remember!
Other local events Barack’s Lane Community Garden. Saturday 20th October: Stick Day 12pm-‐4pm. Dozens of things you can do and make with a simple pile of sticks.
Saturday 3rd November -‐ Bonfire night 12pm – early evening. The garden’s annual bonfire celebration with soup, lantern-‐making & storytelling. Saturday 8th December: Greenery 12pm-‐4pm -‐ Decorations for Christmas and other wintertime festivals Regular events Kangaroo Playgroup – Wednesdays weekly 10:30am–1pm. For mums, dads, other carers and children who are interested in or practising natural parenting. For further information contact Dai Griffiths at [email protected]. Nappy free baby group – last Wed each month 11am-‐noon. Information available online at www.oxfordnappyfreebaby.co.uk or contact Amber Hatch at [email protected].
South Oxford Farmers and Community Market and Café Every Sunday, 9.30 – 12 noon. South Oxford Community Centre, Lake St. Fruit and veg., bread, meat, eggs, cakes and much more. Come and support a new community project. To help or book a stall, contact: [email protected]
News and ideas please! If you have contribution for The Echo, or would like to join our team (especially if you are from the Hill), we would love to hear from you. Just contact the editor: [email protected]