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Principles of Garden Design

At the February meeting of the Wallingford Gardening Club, Duncan Grosart will talk about

‘Principles of Garden Design’. Duncan trained at the Pershore College of Horticulture and has been teaching and judging landscape design for the past 35 years.

The talk will be held at Ridgeway Community Church at 7.30pm on Thursday 11th February. Visitors very welcome £2.

Isabelle Darby836867

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Editorial

For some years now, the Window for Wallingford has been keeping people around the town (and much further afield through the website version) informed about all the things which will be happening over the next month. We hope that reading about all the brilliant things which go on around the town will inspire our readers to go

along and enjoy themselves, and also that they will, perhaps, also be inspired to get involved.

With New Year’s resolutions fading away now, the push to do something new may be fading, but you’ll find quite a bit in this month’s edition asking if you can join in or help. In particular, the Volunteer Centre – one of Wallingford’s great institutions, but sometimes a bit of a hidden treasure to those who don’t need help right now – could do with some more volunteer drivers. It doesn’t need to be a massive time commitment just a few hours a month can make a real difference to someone who needs to get to hospital or go shopping, and is a very rewarding way to use some time if you can spare it. And in what may be the easiest way ever to join in, Sustainable Wallingford are asking if you can donate some space in your garden …

Do have a look at both articles – and all the others – and see if it might work for you.

Lynda AtkinsEditor

[email protected]

Thames Crossings - Ferries, Fords and Bridges

February’s talk to The Wallingford Historical and Archaeological Society (TWHAS)

will be given by Steve Capel-Davies. He will present ‘Thames Crossings - Ferries, Fords and Bridges’. Steve has had an extensive career involving rivers, and will draw on his personal experiences and knowledge of the River Thames.

The River Thames has been very important as a key route for trade but it has also been a major barrier to those wanting to cross it! This talk on Ferries, Fords and Bridges will look at how these have evolved over the years including local examples, such as at Wallingford where the bridge has at times had drawbridges installed, been destroyed by a flood, rebuilt and widened. The talk will be preceded by a short (as usual!) AGM.

This talk will be held on Friday 12th February, 8 pm at the Methodist Church Centre. Visitors (£3) are most welcome. www.twhas.org.uk

Stu Darby

Wallingford & District Royal British Legion

By the time that you read this report, it will be almost February! Hopefully you all had a happy

and peaceful New Year. We are still receiving money in for the

Poppy Appeal, and have had nearly £600 since the figure that we gave in the last magazine. We would like to thank the churches of Cholsey and North Moreton for their generous donations of collection money from their Remembrance Sunday services. The February Branch meeting is on the 25th when we are having a talk on the role of women, during WW2, in the Home Guard. We are still in need of a Secretary. There are only 4 committee meetings a year, plus reading out any information to members at the monthly meetings, of which there are only eleven a year. A fairly easy job, as a lot is done online. If you need help, or know of anyone else who does, then please contact us on the confidential numbers below.

Linda Shoebridge598479

National Helpline 0808 802 8080


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Wallingford Police Update

Happy New Year! Firstly can I thank the everyone who donated to our hampers for the elderly and vulnerable in the community. We were

overwhelmed by peoples kindness and distributed over thirty hampers. One lady was so pleased to receive it she cried. We also would like to thank Waitrose for letting us collect in their store. We have seen an increase in theft from vans. Please do not leave items such as SAT NAVs on show and ensure tools are not left in vans overnight. Please also check your insurance as we have attended recent thefts whereby due to where the van was parked the items were not insured. If you see anything suspicious please do not hesitate to call us. We also have a small supply of Smartwater property marking kits back in stock which can be purchased from Wallingford Police Station for £15. If anyone would like a talk or for us to come and play crime reduction bingo with your local groups please email me on [email protected].

Sue HarrisPCSO 9825

Cycle Parking – an Excellent Offer from Rides on Air

The Town Council has recently been looking at how to improve cycle parking in Wallingford – a perennial issue and one we will no doubt return

to. We were very pleased to hear about the offer of free cycle parking from Rides on Air, one of our excellent local businesses. They have plenty of space in their St Martin’s Street shop for bicycles to be parked – in the dry and out of the weather, and at no charge.

So, if you are enjoying the benefits of cycling, do make use of their very generous and helpful service

Lynda AtkinsMayor of Wallingford

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us at Mowbray Fields in Didcot (OX11 8SS) to learn about local wildlife and have lots of outdoor fun! £2 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free; no need to book. Discover and Play: Friday 19th February, 10am-12pm: Forest School for the under-5s. Join the Earth Trust for a morning of play and discovery in our woodlands. Forest School offers hands on learning experiences in a natural environment. £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free. No need to book.

Lucy Benyonwww.earthtrust.org.uk

Portcullis Tennis Club

Portcullis Tennis Club at Wallingford Sports Park is offering 12 weeks tennis coaching for just £24 - Our introductory offer makes each session just

£2! We offer Mini Tennis (5 - 10yrs) and Junior Tennis (11 - 18yrs).

Our group coaching sessions are run throughout the year, after school and at weekends. All equipment is provided. For further information contact us on 0800 888 6030 or [email protected]

Sarah Gniadek-Pitt



Events at the Earth Trust in February

Bird Bonanza! Sunday 7th February, 10am-2pm: Drop in and get to know our feathered friends! Make a bird feeder, try some ‘twitching’ and

even build your own nest! £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free. No need to book. Mud Pie Monday! Monday 15th February, 10am-11.30am: Join us for our first Mud Pie Monday – buckets of mud and buckets of fun! Wellies and waterproofs advisable. Free taster session; no need to book. Build a Bird Box Monday 15th February, 2pm-4pm: Take home your own handmade bird box and help encourage more wildlife into your garden. Tools and materials provided. £10 per box; booking essential (1hr slots): 01865 407792 or [email protected]. Woodland Adventure Wednesday 17th February, 10am-12pm: An expedition for 5-8 year olds. Use your detective skills to discover the Earth Trust’s woodland, where we’ll explore, build and play. £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free. No need to book. Wildlife Wednesday 17th February, 2pm-4pm: New for 2016: our roving Wildlife Wednesdays will visit a different Earth Trust community nature reserve during each school holiday. This half term, come and join

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Wallingford School Needs Your Help

Calling all parents of Wallingford School – we need your generous help and support. We know that everyone has hectic lives.

However, we would really like parents to consider joining the Wallingford School Association (WSA). We are purely a fundraising team for Wallingford School, and we raise money by organising annual Quiz night, selling drinks and food at school productions and events such as the Christmas show and Spring Concert. There is very minimal involvement required throughout the year, unlike when your children were at primary school. We are an extremely friendly bunch, so please come along and meet us. We need new volunteers to replace a number of parents whose children have now left, otherwise we will be no longer able to continue.

We have a very high fundraising target this year of £10,000 as the school requires a new mini bus, this will be vital to everyday school life, as without a mini bus, our children will be unable to get to outside fixtures and events.

So please help your children reach their full potential by helping to raise the additional funds the school requires, if you do not have time to help on the Fundraising Team, please help by supporting attending events that the WSA holds throughout the year, or by donating to the mini bus fund.

For further information please contact me on 836410

Nicola Howse

Wallingford’s Annual Litter Pick

Will take place on Saturday the 19th of March at 9am, meeting at the Town Council Offices (under the archway leading to the Regal

Centre). The usual equipment will be supplied but please wear appropriate clothing (for wet, windy or cold weather) and tough footwear. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

We are always grateful to the Comrades Club who not only participate in the event but also provide refreshments when our work is completed. If you know of an area in the town that requires particular attention, or of any broken glass on footpaths, then please let me know.

I look forward to seeing new faces this year along with the usual familiar ones who give up their time to help keep our town tidy and attractive.

Theresa Jordan

Exciting Times at Wallingford Sports Park

With the New Year now well under way the ambitious improvement programme at the Sports Park is continuing with a

vengeance! The long awaited changing room project will commence at the beginning of March, with completion scheduled for the 2016 winter season. As Wallingford expands with the inevitable increase in population, the Sports Park will attract more people to utilise its unique facilities and offers something for everyone. The following clubs are all keen to attract new members/teams:

• ABMSkittlesClubwww.abmskittles.com• Wallingford Rugby Club www.wallingford rugbyclub.com• WallingfordHockeyClubwww.wallingfordhc. org.uk• AFC Wallingford www.pitchero.com/clubs/ wallingfordtownafc• PetanqueWallingfordwww.petwal.co.uk• Portcullis Tennis Club www.portcullis tennis.net• Hithercroft Squash Club www.hithercroft squash.com

If you require any information regarding the above clubs please follow the link or contact me at www.wallingfordsportspark.co.uk [email protected], 07746646632 or 835044.

If you have not been to the Sports Park before please feel free to call in. We are open to everyone and open every day and evening. If you are planning a party, celebration, or wish to hold a conference/business meeting we have a wide variety of options/rooms on offer.

For your diaries, we will be showing all the 6 Nations Rugby matches on our big screen. It all kicks off on Sat 6th February.

Dave GreedySports Park Manager



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Petanque – What is this Game?

Petanque is one version of boules, the French version of bowls. It was first played near Marseilles, about 100 years ago, devised

by modifying a fairly energetic boules game that had become too much so for some older players. They decided to make up a new game that would be more dependent on skills and tactics than athleticism. They called the game ‘Boules Petanque’ - petanque being the old Provencal wording for ‘feet together’, which is how you have to stand when throwing a boule. Petanque became the name of the new sport as it spread rapidly through France, and eventually to more than 60 countries around the world. Here it is recognised by Sport England, and has nationwide organisations that run local Leagues and competitions. But petanque remains essentially a social game amongst friends; played this way it is very enjoyable, but often with a keen competitive edge!

Petanque is played in Wallingford! This is the only Oxfordshire town that has a club and a playing facility. Petanque Wallingford, a member club within Wallingford Sports Trust, has built a top quality floodlit pitch at the Sports Park. Club players meet several times each week, even in winter. The season really starts in April, with a beginners’ course on three Wednesday evenings, running alongside the regular club social games. The course, under registered coaching, provides basic teaching of technique and tactics. It is very easy to get started; you can be playing on day one!

Petanque is a game that can be played by everyone, regardless of age or agility; it offers healthy, gentle outdoor physical exercise and sociable contact. It is a fascinating sport of skills and tactics, with endless scope for improvement through playing regularly.

If you are interested in finding out more about playing petanque in Wallingford visit the club website www.petwal.co.uk

Loren Butt

Henley Philatelic Society

If you are thinking of taking up, or returning to a hobby, how about doing Philately? February 10 is a good opportunity to see the many

facets of this pastime and to have a chat about it. Do come and visit us. We’ll be having our Annual Competitions either 9 or 16 pages and all classes may be entered – stamps, postal history, aero-philately, Thematics, Social or Open class and Postcards. Then on February 24 we have the Auction Viewing, for our very popular Open Auction on March 9, non-members are welcome. Or you can see the catalogue on line, where you may also bid! Over 600 Lots.

Meetings are usually held on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at Bix Village Hall at 7.45 p.m. from September to June inclusive. Visitors and new members are welcome. Details 681739 or on our website: - www.henleyphilatelic.org.uk

Penny Black

National Learn to Play Day Free Handbell Ringing Workshop

Have you ever thought of making music with handbells? It is fun and rewarding. As part of National Learn to Play Day (www.

learntoplayday.com), organised by Music for All, Gay and Alan (who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent) are offering a free workshop on handbell ringing on Saturday March 12. The workshop is suitable for everyone and no experience of music or bells is required. It will take place at the Bullcroft Recreation Rooms, opposite Waitrose, starting at 11am. For further details contact [email protected] or 07964 615428 or tweet @Gay_and_Alan.

Alan Cooper

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Wallingford Town Council Update

Wallingford Town Council was very sad to hear of the death of Topsy Simmons recently. Topsy was our second woman Mayor – following

in the footsteps of her mother in law Frances – many years ago. She was truly dedicated to Wallingford and we will miss her.

Since the Localism Act in 2011, local government has begun to change. You will probably be aware from media coverage of such things as the Northern Powerhouse that national government is very keen about localism and devolution. Currently Oxfordshire has one county council, five smaller district councils and lots of town and parish councils. Each council is responsible for providing different services to the public. For example Oxfordshire County Council is responsible for Adult Social Care, whilst South Oxfordshire District Council oversees leisure and recreation, and town or parish councils look after a diverse range of things, which differ from parish to parish. Over the coming months it is possible that town and parish councils will take on a number of services. For example Oxfordshire County Council has asked town and parish councils to consider undertaking mowing verges.

As you may also know, all councils are encouraged to save money and to find new funds, South Oxfordshire District Council and the Vale of White Horse District Council blazed the trail by sharing many back office services and the trend of working together is likely to continue. For example, according to the Oxford Mail, Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire County Councils, along with Cambridgeshire, Milton Keynes, Luton, Bedford and Central Bedfordshire have joined together to form ‘England’s Economic Heartland’ to bid for more funding from the government for transport schemes.

Local authorities are only some of the organisations delivering services to the public in Oxfordshire. There are other government-funded bodies such as the health service and the police. There is also a Local Enterprise Partnership which is responsible for developing and championing the local economy. The LEP works with local, national and international government (the European Union) to provide local business with funding.

One important part of localism that is relevant to Wallingford Residents is the preparation and adoption of a Neighbourhood Plan. We hope that the first consultation about developing a Neighbourhood Plan for Wallingford will take place in March. Once confirmed, further information about the date and venue will appear on the Wallingford Website: www.wallingford.co.uk.

And now for something completely different! Our local tourism website, Visit Southern Oxfordshire states that eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday goes right back to the mid-1400s. Although the Wallingford Pancake Race doesn’t stretch back quite that far, it has been going for several decades! This year’s race will take place in the centre of Wallingford on Tuesday February 9th.

Cllr Amanda Holland Wallingford Town Council

Kundalini Yoga has all the usual physical benefits of a normal yoga practice. It can be enjoyed by everyone regardless of age and ability, it has the flexibility to push you past your comfort zone as well as offering the choice of going at your own pace.Kundalini Yoga is a complete science that involves breath (pranayam), yoga postures (asanas), hand and arm movements, sound, mantra, meditation and relaxation. It can be dynamic in its practice, vast in

practical information and powerful in its experience. It combines the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of yoga in to one system.Kundalini Yoga enables you to harness the energy of your mind and emotions so you can be in control of yourself, rather and being controlled by your thoughts and feelings.

Classes on Mondays, 7.15-8.45pm at Wallingford Leisure Centre, Wallingford School, St.George’s Road, Wallingford, OXON OX10 8HH.

For more information contact Rachel (0741-5355487).

KUNDALINI YOGA“The Yoga of Awareness”



Wallingford Pancake Race 2016

The rain may still be hammering down, the winter chill still with us, and the flood waters threatening, but hope is on the horizon! The first event in the

packed calendar of the Wallingford Season, but coming up at us on February 9th is the huge, the wonderful, the growing and thrilling Wallingford Pancake Race!The event has now been running in the town every Shrove Tuesday for over thirty years, and so gives us claim to being the oldest continuous race in Oxfordshire, as well as being, undoubtedly, the largest.

The event has been growing in recent years, and has garnered much publicity. Participants have come from as far afield as Brazil to take place in a traditional British pancake race. Many local schools get involved, and crowds have grown so much in recent years, that a full closure of the Market Place was necessary for a couple of hours last year to accommodate everyone. We shall be doing the same this year, and hoping for even bigger crowds. The course starts by the War Memorial and takes participants past the Corn Exchange, cutting through St Mary’s Arcade to come back down into the town. The Children’s Race is one lap of this course, but the adults run, or stroll, this for a gruelling 10 minutes! There are prizes for first man, first woman and best fancy dress, and the whole contest is sponsored by South Moreton Boxing Club, Rowse Honey and Waitrose.

Entry forms are available from South Moreton Boxing Club and Waitrose, or registration is possible on the day (registration from 9:30am). This is a fun and engaging event, we like to think the fancy dress and participation is more important than the race! Runners are welcome to run for a charity of their choice, and all proceeds from the sale of the gourmet pancakes on the day will go to Care for Casualties, an Army charity supporting the local regiment, The Rifles.

The overall winner of the race will be presented with the now mythical Golden Frying Pan, their name will be engraved on it’s plinth for eternity and they may possess it for one year, until the next race.

Look forward to seeing you down there, this is, after all, the start of the Wallingford Season! The days will lengthen, the sun will come out, and Wallingford will, once again, host the biggest and best Pancake Race!!!

John HoustonSouth Moreton Boxing Club

South Oxfordshire Music Centre

SOMC is a friendly, fun morning of music-making for beginners to grade 5+ run by fully qualified Music Teachers from Oxfordshire

County Music Service. We run small ensembles, choirs and orchestras of varying standards, playing a wide range of musical genres from Bach to the Beatles and Folk music to Film themes! Groups run on term-time Saturdays, from 9.30am – 12pm at Wallingford School.

We welcome beginner - even children who only started learning in the Autumn term!

Contact Oxfordshire County Music Service for more information on 01865 816990, visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/musicservice, email me at [email protected] or come along for a free trial; we welcome newcomers throughout the term.

Lorna Waters



January 10th is International Inner Wheel Day, an event

celebrated by Inner Wheel Clubs all over the world.

Members of Sinodun Inner Wheel Club celebrated with tea and cakes at the River Front Café at Benson. Also present was Claire

Twinn from the charity “Headway Oxfordshire” who received a cheque for £500 from Sinodun Inner Wheel Club. This was as a result of money raised by the Club members at their Christmas Raffle. If anyone reading this article bought a ticket at the Charities Bazaar in St. Mary’s Church or at the Christmas Festival held in the Regal Centre, we would like to thank you for your support and helping to raise money for a wonderful charity which does immensely valuable work.

Happy New Year to you all.Eira E. Hoare

PresidentInner Wheel Club of Sinodun

Reasons to be Proud of Wallingford

A big thank you to all that used the Scout Christmas postal service. It was a huge success this year with almost 4500 cards being posted in the Wallingford post boxes - about a 25% increase on last year. It certainly kept all our delivery volunteers busy and raised some greatly needed funds for the group. Thanks again for all your support and we look forward to delivering all your local cards next Christmas. Very best wishes for 2016 from all of us at 2nd Wallingford Scouts.

Terry Field

Portcullis Lodge 6672, Freemasons, provided a £200 donation to help the Wallingford Toy Library bring fun and joy to children with special needs at their annual holiday party. After gifts from Father Christmas and a lunch, they boarded the Bunk for a train ride to Cholsey. For more information about this very worthy small local charity see their website

Preston Bemis



Book Sale and Pancakes

This annual event is taking place at Wallingford Methodist Church on Saturday 6 February 10 am – 1 pm. There will be a good selection of

books for adults and children covering a wide range of topics. Also cd’s and records (just one at the moment) ‘Return of the Jedi’ with it’s original insert magazine if there are any enthusiasts out there (Han Solo looks about 10)!

In addition to this there will be freshly made pancakes, filter coffee, tea and biscuits for anyone who can resist pancakes. Everything will be reasonably priced and all monies raised will go to charity. Do come along if you can it’s a really friendly morning and there might be more than one record by then!

Anne Baudry

Art to Combat Climate Change

I am a local artist with a studio and large garden on the Wantage Road. For the past 10 years or so I have opened my studio and garden to the public during

Oxfordshire Visual Arts Festival in May. My events are always fun, interactive and family friendly. I mainly work with sculpture, installation and community groups. My work is essentially conceptual and based on a theme. For example one year I did Wallingford on Sea and in 2012 I did The Artist’s Olympic Challenge with lots of things visitors could try out.

This year, in response to the big Climate Change Symposium going on in Paris and the worrying signs of Global Warming it has been suggested that I set up a Green challenge and explore ways of combating Climate Change. I am calling for anyone interested in this theme to help me look at ways we can Save the Planet through art and awareness of energy saving and the use of renewable energy. How it actually works.

I can’t do this on my own and am running free practical workshops to make sculptures and installations to illustrate how we can preserve our world. Partly by encouraging insects and using Sun, Wind and Water as energy. These workshops are open to anyone and you need to bring waterproof recycled rubbish, tapes, string and scissors.

Provisional Times: Tuesdays 9th and 16th February at 10 – 12, Thursdays 10th and 31st March 10 - 12 and Saturdays 20th Feb and 19th March 2 - 5pm in my studio and garden at 51 Wantage Road. These could be at other times and places if I get a good response to the challenge. Contact [email protected] or mob 07748966403

Janey Carline

Healthwatch Oxfordshire is your voice on health and social care

Whether it is improving services today, or helping to shape them for tomorrow, Healthwatch Oxfordshire is all about

enabling local voices to influence the delivery and design of local health and social care in our county. Not just for the people who use them now, but for anyone who might need to in future. Healthwatch Oxfordshire was set up on April 1 2013, as a result of the Health and Social Care Act 2012. The organisation sits alongside 151 other local Healthwatches across the country.

Healthwatch Oxfordshire hears what children, young people and adults have to say about health and social care services, whether that is praise, criticism or ideas for improvement. We strengthen the collective voice of patients and the public, so that service providers and commissioners listen to what they have to say. We then hold them to account on how they use the information we provide to shape, inform and influence service delivery and design.

In order to ensure that we have the best possible evidence and the widest possible views to influence the delivery and design of health and social care services, we need as many people as possible to speak out about their experiences, so that we can speak up on their behalf.

Healthwatch is independent, and we are accountable to the people of Oxfordshire, so please tell us how you would like to be treated and cared for, and what is important to you when using health and social care services, and we can make a difference together. To find out more about Healthwatch Oxfordshire, please visit our website, www.healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk , contact us on 01865 520520 or email [email protected]. You can also follow us on Twitter @HealthwatchOxon and find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/HealthwatchOxfordshire

Richard Maynard

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Wallingford Vehicle Rally and Parade

The Wallingford Vehicle Rally and Parade returns on Sunday May 8th. This relaxed, friendly and very informal event is organised by a small group

of volunteers who have made this show one of the “must see” events on the Wallingford calendar and have been raising money and awareness for local charities for the past 12 years. We have raised over £40,000 for local charities in the time.

The event will kick off at 11am with a parade of 250 vehicles through Wallingford, snaking around the streets, through the Market Place and culminating in a static show at the Kinecroft. Throughout the day there are displays and side stalls hosted by local suppliers and charities, helping raise funds for their worthy causes. Local food traders will also be there throughout the day so you can sample the tasty delights from local suppliers.

The principal charity will once again be Footsteps, who are based just up the road in Dorchester and provide much needed intensive rehabilitation programmes for children and young adults with neurological disorders. Children and their families travel from all over the country to the centre and their work has been providing child friendly intensive therapy there for over a decade. You can find more information on their website at footstepscentre.com

The parade itself is quite some spectacle as a convoy of vehicles is surrounded by cheering spectators throughout the town, including some wonderful live music from the Wallingford School Bigg Band and Cholsey Silver Band as the parade arrives in the Kinecroft. The vehicles themselves aren’t limited in anyway, so you can see a sixties scooter alongside a modern supercar, a standard Model T ford parked up next to an American muscle car from the 1970’s. All cars, bikes, trucks and scooters are welcome, the weirder the better, and prices will be given out on the day to the furthest travelled, the Mayor’s choices and the Vehicle of The Show.

Alongside viewing the parade, you can also make a donation and take a trip out in a supercar. The Sporting Bears organization will be back once more with their amazing collection of cars, both modern and classic, to take you out for a drive in the stunning local countryside.

Pre-registration of vehicles for the parade is essential, more details on the car rally website www.wallingfordcarrally.org.uk, or drop us an email at [email protected].

Neal Reed

Wallingford Photographic Club

Wallingford Photographic Club meets on Thursday evenings at Crowmarsh Pavilion. In February we have 4th, Members

Evening: 11th Themed Print Competition – Lifestyle, Judge - Stan McCartin: 18th, Themed Digital Competition - Lifestyle Judge - Brian Swinyard; 25th Aerial Photography/Aarchaeology Speaker - Ian Cartwright.

The club is always pleased to welcome visitors (£3 for the evening) and new members, from beginners to advanced photographers. If there is something which interests you in the club programme, why not come along as a visitor and find out more about the club. Full details can be found on the club website www.wallingfordphoto.club

Tony France




What’s On at the Corn Exchange

CINEMAAll screenings start at 7.30 unless stated otherwise

Monday 1st, Tuesday 2nd: Bridge of Spies (12A)Wednesday 3rd: Carol (15)

Thursday 4th: NT Live Les Liaison Dangereuses (15) at 7pm

Friday 5th, Saturday 6th: Star Wars (12A)Sunday 7th: Sunset Song (15)

Monday 8th, Tuesday 9th: Joy (12A)Wednesday 10th: Grandma(15)

Thursday 11th: Janis: Little Girl Blue (15)Friday 12th, Saturday 13th, Sunday 14th: Monday

15th, Tuesday 16th: Dad’s Army (PG)

Wednesday 17th at 2.30pm: Dad’s Army (PG)Wednesday 17th: Dad’s Army (PG)Thursday 18th: Dad’s Army (PG)

Saturday 20th: Room (15)Sunday 21st, Monday 22nd: The Danish Girl (15)

Tuesday 23rd: TBAWednesday 24th: TBA

Thursday 25th: NT Live As You Like It at 7pmFriday 26th, Saturday 27th: Youth (15)

Sunday 28th: TBAMonday 29th: TBA

LIVEFriday 19th. Stand-Up Comedy Night with Ellie Taylor,

Luisa Omielan, Alistair Williams and David Morgan. A night of hilarity is guaranteed with this feisty set of comedians well-known on the comedy circuit and on

TV. Tickets £10. At 8pm

Saturday 20th. The Little Match Girl. A magical and mischievous twist on a classic tale, complete with puppetry, story-telling, live music, and audience interaction. The Moon On A Stick company will

transform the stage into a stunning snowy spectacle. Suitable for 3 years and upwards. £10 (under 16s £5).

At 3pm

Tickets and further information, including any last minute additions to cinema programme, available

from www.cornexchange.org.uk or box office (01491 825000).

Carol Evans

Wallingford Citizens Advice – 30 years in the town

Wallingford Citizens celebrated its 30th anniversary in the town

in November 2015. It is now part of Oxfordshire South & Vale Citizens Advice, an independent charity, with offices across South Oxfordshire in Didcot, Henley, Thame and Abingdon.

We are a member of the national Citizens Advice organisation and, like all Citizens Advice offices, are committed to provide free, confidential and impartial advice. Our goal is to help everyone find a way forward, whatever problem they face. People come to us with all sorts of issues. You may have money, benefit, housing or employment problems. You may be facing a crisis, or just considering your options.

You can call in without an appointment whenever we are open for an initial discussion, following this we may arrange for you to return for a longer appointment with an adviser if necessary.

Wallingford Citizens Advice is located in a building shared with Rainbow Preschool just inside the Bullcroft Park (off the High Street) and is open twice a week, on Tuesday from 10 am until 3.30 pm and on Friday 10 am until 1pm. Telephone advice is also available from the Citizens Advice ‘Adviceline’ which operates Monday to Friday on 03444 111 444. Information on a wide range of issues can also be found at www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Jill Willison



Wallingford All Sharing Project - W.A.S.P.

The official launch of this project will take place March, for date and venue see the March issue of the Window for Wallingford

and posters around the town. At this event Sustainable Wallingford will also be re-launching “Wallingford Community Energy”, helping you with free workshops, to save money on your bills, and be kinder to our planet in the process. We will be engaging with people who have gone some way down this road, in creating a shared knowledge and skills bank together with information on installing renewable energy technology.

Would you believe it, at this time of the year WASP’s are beginning to show interest in gardens? It is brilliant that Sustainable Wallingford have had people respond to the scheme already. So if you would like to have space to grow your own food in 2016, please contact me on 825034. The initial idea is that we find people who have large gardens, or gardens they cannot tend as well as they used to, then we find people who do not have space to grow food in a garden and we put the two in contact with each other. Once we have done that, they can meet and go through the practicalities with a Sustainable Wallingford member, and reach an amicable agreement, (in writing).

The garden owner - benefits by seeing their garden thrive, getting satisfaction from sharing with another, getting some of the food grown as a thank you for sharing their space, passing on their knowledge and skills to enthusiastic gardeners and forming a new relationship.

The gardener – benefits by getting the satisfaction of growing food, the delight of tasting home grown food, getting free exercise, getting the pleasure of sharing their harvest with another and forming a new relationship too.

Caron Spence


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Wallingford Volunteer Centre Volunteer Drivers Needed – Could

You Help?

If you have been thinking about joining us at the Volunteer Centre, but not got round to

making the first move, maybe you could start 2016 by making that call.

We urgently need more volunteers to help with driving requests. You do not have to commit to a regular time or number of hours; we can work around your other commitments and offer tasks to suit you and your lifestyle. Every hour offered is valuable to us, whether it’s one a month or several each week. Most driving jobs are taking clients to medical appointments but we also take people to other places such as the hairdresser, chiropodist or shopping. All volunteers receive a mileage allowance which covers fuel costs and normal wear and tear of your vehicle.

If you think you can help or would like more information please email me at [email protected] or ring the office on 836345 between 9.30am and 11.30am Monday to Friday. If you would rather call in we are based in the Methodist Church, St Leonards Square, Wallingford. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sylvia Wear

dedicated help and expertise of David Seed and Anna Harvey. It has been designed to be very user-friendly and is certainly worth taking a look at to familiarise yourself with its contents: all the information will be updated regularly so that potential new members can see at a glance all that we have to offer.

I think most of us are now already looking forward to some Spring-like sunshine after all the rain we have seen over the past month or so – let’s hope that the mild winter so far doesn’t mean that all the lovely spring flowers come too early. The first snowdrops in February are always a very welcome sight. Enjoy.

Yvonne GriffithsChairman

Wallingford & District Art Club

On Tuesday 19 January 2016, Marilyn Comparetto will be using acrylics to demonstrate creative techniques and textures

at 7.30 at Centre 70. Non-members are welcome for a fee of £3. On the other Tuesdays of the month there will be the usual untutored workshops, where non-members are welcome for a small fee. Please bring your own materials and a project to work on at painting workshops. For further details about this or future demonstrations contact me on 01865 858463 or [email protected]

Rebekah Robinson

Thameside (Wallingford) U3A

Events in February are, on Friday 5th February – Coffee in Centre 70 10.30-12 noon When we look forward to seeing members and potential

new members. If you haven’t made any New Year’s Resolutions yet, then this would be a good one to start you off: for non-members, come along and meet some of the committee who will be able to give you lots of information about our U3A and all that it has to offer and with Spring just around the corner (hopefully) there is a mix of both indoor and outdoor activities and interests to get involved in.

Then on Wednesday 17th February we have our speaker meeting at The Baptist Church at 2pm. Due to unforeseen circumstances, there has been a change to our printed programme this month and instead of being a talk by Tony King about the History of the London Underground, it will now be a talk by one of our members, Rachel Pettit-Smith about the History of Pettits of Wallingford. Pettits of Wallingford first opened its doors in the 1850’s and this local department store has formed an important presence in the heart of our local town for many years. Do come along, as I am sure this will be a most interesting talk.

Finally, on Friday, 26th February we have an outing to visit Apsley House and the Battle of Waterloo Exhibition at the Wellington Arch.

Continuing our endeavour to keep up with the fast-moving world of technology, we have just launched our new website at www.wallingfordu3a.org/wp. This is a project which was started by our previous Chairman, Jan Menzies, and has been developed with the



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Fireplace Magic new ad 23/7.indd 1 6/8/15 14:21:43

Wallingford Chess Piece

A small archaeological dig took place behind Wallingford Museum in July. What it may have lacked in size the excavation certainly made up

for in features and finds!

A dedicated team of diggers and pot washers volunteered their time over the two week period to expose, clean, record and ponder over complicated

standing masonry, much demolition material and some wonderful pottery pieces and small finds which all add up to help tell the tale about what was happening in this part of Wallingford over many centuries.

A most substantial wall was revealed belonging to one of Wallingford’s many malt houses and proved to




be the brick foundation of the north wall of a small extension to the main long building. The opposite southern wall was discovered whilst doing a test pit a few years ago so it was nice now to be able to record accurately at least one dimension of this room.

6802 items were found including 1472 pieces of pot, 1948 pieces of bone, 1132 pieces of building material, 995 pieces of slag, 1 chess piece, 1 carved bone, glazed roof tile and worked flint. Some of the pottery found was of quite high status with some quite sizeable pieces. The analysis is currently underway by June Strong, the Museum’s pottery expert.

What we were hoping to find was any evidence for the priory which once stood not far away in the Bullcroft. The exact whereabouts are still unknown, but we are closing in on it! Whilst checking the pieces of roof tile it was noticed that some pieces were glazed, and only very prosperous establishments would be able to afford such a roof, and other sites where they have been found are usually very wealthy manor houses or monastic buildings. Decorated floor tile also attest to the presence of a high status building in the vicinity.

At the same general depth as these tiles came our star find, found by our star ‘finder of finds’ James Spooner! Initially thought to have been a tiny carving of a cat, once cleaned up it looked more like a game piece highly decorated with ring and dot designs. Internet searches revealed that it was actually a Medieval Arabic chess piece and was in fact an elephant (later to be the bishop piece that we know today), not a cat! See the photograph from Judy Dewey, showing the two protuberances representing tusks. What we know to date are that it is made from the tip of an antler, is probably 12th – 13th century and may be the smallest recorded chess piece (21.7mm), possibly from a travelling set!! Other pieces found on other sites have been approximately twice the size.The Wallingford chess piece is an important find and we were really very lucky to spot him. It will be on display at Wallingford Museum soon. That now begs the question….where are the other 31 pieces?

Lindsey Bedford & Jane Poulter

will once again start from Wallingford School.

Wallingford Young People for Kenya have kindly agreed to take on organising this year’s procession This is a group of 15 year 10 students from Wallingford School who are working very hard to raise the money to go out to Western Kenya alongside the Nasio Trust in October to work with children in communities affected by poverty, HIV/AIDS

They would love to see more groups, organisations and businesses taking part in the procession and to help make this a really successful community event.

We anticipate that the majority of entries will be walking floats but if you have access to any lorries or trailers that could be used in the procession then please do get in contact. Please email [email protected] if you would like to take part in this year’s Carnival procession, or download the registration form rom www.wallingfordcarnival.org.uk

Hilary Smith



Two Exciting New Special Exhibitions at Wallingford Museum

It is 950 years since England was last successfully invaded by a foreign army. Most of us

know there was a great battle in 1066 at Hastings where the English (Saxon) King Harold was killed by an arrow in his eye (probably) and some may even know that William the Conqueror came to Wallingford after the battle to cross the River Thames with his army! But why did he choose Wallingford? What was happening here at the time to make him come? What effect did it all have on the people living here? There is certainly an intriguing story to tell and in this new exhibition - ‘1066: William Comes to Wallingford’ - where all will be revealed - based on the very latest research and evidence. Not to be missed!You’ll also be able to see some of the latest discoveries from our recent archaeology, including the smallest medieval chess piece ever found in England - a beautiful little object made of antler, discovered behind the Museum in the dig last summer.

But this is not all...!

There’s also a brand new special exhibition presenting ‘300 Years of Cartoons!’ This spectacular private collection has been brought together by Dr Steve Head to show wonderful examples of the development of the use of cartoons in the last three centuries. Featuring about a hundred cartoons of all kinds, the exhibition allows you simply to look at the cartoons and enjoy them for themselves, or to take time to read a little about each one and learn a great deal - a very special experience.

And if you come early in the season, your £5 entry ticket will give you terrific value, as you’ll be able to return as many times as you like for no extra cost. The Museum is open from 1st March. Children under 16 are free, and there’s lots for the family to enjoy throughout the rest of the Museum too. Look out for special events this year including Town and Castle history walks (2 April), A Night at the Museum (13 May and 28 Oct), Family Archaeology Day (23 July), a William the Conqueror event (20 August), BunkFest offers, and the Agatha Christie Weekend (9-11 Sept).Full details at www.wallingfordmuseum.org.uk

Stu Darby

Wallingford Carnival

Once again it’s time to start thinking of Summer and we are delighted that Wallingford Carnival will be taking place on the usual date of the

3rd Saturday of June – Saturday June 18th.

The theme of the procession will be “William” and it

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Every Monday, Friday and Saturday Coffee at St Mary’s Church 10 – 12First Monday The Music Club for children with disabilities and additional needs call Sophia Nicholls 07768 298 297 or Julie Hinton 01189 722322Every Monday Optimists over 50 Badminton, Regal Centre 2.15 – 4Every Monday Table Tennis at the Regal Centre, 7.15 - 10.00pmEvery 3rd Monday NCT sling library at Bean and Brew, 10 – 11Every Tuesday Lunches at Methodist Church Centre 12.30 pmEvery Tuesday Wallingford and District Art Club, Centre 70 at 7.30Every Tuesday 2 – 4 Age UK Games Afternoon at Millington HouseSecond Tuesday PiP’s Carers’ Support Group, St Mary’s Church, 2pmEvery 2nd and 4th Tuesday Young at Heart Club 2 - 4 at the Masonic Centre.2nd/4th Wednesdays Henley Philatelic Society Bix Village Hall at 7.45 (not July/August)Every Wednesday 6pm at The Methodist Church - Boys’ Brigade ages 5 to 18Every Wednesday: RunWallingford meet at The Leisure Centre at Wallingford School at 19.00. Contact 07970 807108. All abilities welcome.Every Thursday Coffee Morning, Methodist Church Centre 10.30 to 12Every Thursday Wallingford Photographic Club 7.45 Crowmarsh Pavilion (not July/August)Every Friday Wallingford Country Market 8.30 – 11.15 in the Regal Centre.Every Friday and Saturday Coffee at the Corn Exchange, 10 – 2Every Friday and Saturday Coffee at St Mary’s Church 10 – 12Every Friday - Charter Market in the Market PlaceEvery Saturday WAGS Store open at Centre 70, 10-12Most Saturdays Local Producers’ Market, Regal Centre 10 – 1



hat’s on FEBRUaRY 2016

INDOW FOR WALLINGFORD is published on a non-profit making basis and is compiled

and distributed entirely by volunteers.

All material published is copyright and may not becopied, stored, reproduced or transmitted in whole or in part by any means whatsoever without the written consent of the Editor.

The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor. The Editor is pleased to receive material for publication, but reserves the right to amend or reject it at her discretion.

Editor: Lynda Atkins39 Station Road, Wallingford, Oxon, OX10 0JX

Telephone: 01491 [email protected]

Distribution Manager: Andrew Blackwell,7 Chalmore Gardens, Wallingford, OX10 9EP

Telephone: 01491 - 825991For adverts/inserts, contact Albry Printing Co. Ltd.

Telephone: 01491 - 836282

Publication Date: 1st of the month

Every Sunday Wallingford Runners meet for a run. Contact number is now 07720 204783 or 07919 6925321st Sunday 1.30, Market Place, cyclists relaxed road ride, all welcomeSecond Sunday Wallingford Model Club meet at the Fire Station 10 till 5. All welcome. Tel George Clark 2008613rd Sunday 1.30, Market Place, cyclists longer road ride, experienced riders.

3rd Wallingford WI Open Meeting Wildlife Photography in Africa, 7.30 at Ridgeway Church Centre contact Carole 835265

4th Wallingford AGM then Travels and Wildlife in Tanzania tel Hermione on 01865 858024

6th Book Sale and Pancakes

6th Toy Library for Children with Special Needs and their families. Contact Pamela on 07717280995

6th Six nations rugby at the Hithercroft (Big Screen version!)

9th Deadline for copy for the Window for Wallingford

9th Pancake Race!

9th Friendship Group Exploration of Colombia tel 835074

11th Gardening Club: Principles of Garden Design

12th TWHAS talk: ‘Thames Crossings - Ferries, Fords and Bridges at the Methodist Church Centre

16th Farmers’ Market

17th Thameside (Wallingford)U3A: History of Pettits

23rd Friendship Group Exploring Australia tel 835074

25th Collection and Distribution day for The Window for Wallingford

25th RBL Branch Meeting, Women in the Home Guard, Masonic Centre

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