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STADHAMPTON, NEWINGTON AND WARBOROUGH

SERVICES IN DECEMBER 2014 & JANUARY 2015

Date Morning Morning Evening

Stadhampton Warborough

7th DecemberAdvent 1

9.30 am Christingle

11.00 amParish Eucharist

6.00 pm Team Confirmation in The Abbey

14th DecemberAdvent 2

9.30 am Parish Eucharist

8.00 am BCP Holy Communion11.00 amParish Praise

6.00 pmEvensong at Warborough

21st DecemberAdvent 3

8.00 am BCP Holy Communion

5.00 pmCarol Service at Stadhampton7.30 pm Carol Service at Warborough

24th & 25th December

See "Christmas Services"See "Christmas Services"

28th DecemberChristmas 1

11 am Team Service at Berinsfield11 am Team Service at Berinsfield

4th JanuaryEpiphany

9.30 am Parish Praise

11.00 am Parish Eucharist

6.00 pmEvensong at Warborough

11th January Baptism of Christ

9.30 am Parish Eucharist

8.00 am BCP Holy Communion11.00 am Parish Praise

6.00 pmEvensong at Warborough

18th January2nd Sunday of Epiphany

9.30 am BCPHoly Communion

11.00 amParish Eucharist

6.00 pmEvensong at Warborough

25th January3rd Sunday of Epiphany

9.30 am Parish Eucharist

8.00 am BCP Holy Communion11.00 am Matins

7.00 pm Taize in Dorchester Abbey

FROM THE VICAR

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Earlier today (mid November) someone came up to me and said “It’s coming up to your busy time of year, isn’t it?” They worked in a supermarket and, if I had been quick enough, I should have said “yours too”. This got me thinking about the commercialisation of Christmas; I may be slow to catch on but I have only just seen the John Lewis Christmas Ad featuring Monty the Penguin. It is true that it makes no mention of Jesus but, with its touching rather sentimental message about a boy giving a dream Christmas to his penguin friend, it is a great piece of filmmaking and storytelling. If my Twitter feed is anything to go by, it has brought a tear to the most surprising of eyes.

John Lewis Christmas advert fever is becoming an established part of the run up to Christmas. It is undoubtedly great marketing for them and will no doubt help add millions to the coffers over the pre-Christmas season. Perhaps we as Christians could learn from them and ask how we should best communicate the Christian message at the heart of Christmas. I have never met anyone who has said to me that they actually enjoy the Christmas commercialism that starts around October time and is full on from Bonfire Night. Yet if we really didn’t like it I’m sure shops would tone it down; secretly though I wonder if we actually enjoy it, the magic, the lights, the sparkle do bring a bit of light and fun at the darkest, most miserable time of the year. As we look forward to Christmas, adverts such as the John Lewis one can awake in us a sense of anticipation and excitement. There are questions for us as Christians about to how we communicate the love and joy at the heart of the Christmas story. What we shouldn’t lose sight of though is knowing that the Christmas story contains all we need to feel a sense of anticipation, excitement and hope. The Christmas message is truly spine-tingling good news; we should want to shout it out loud. Christmas is not just about presents; above everything else it is about presence, it is about God’s presence with us.

All of the magic and sparkle of Christmas is because we celebrate the fact that a light has come into the world; the light that has come into the world is the Christ child. This is a light that will carry on shining long after the Christmas tree lights have been taken down. I very much hope that you will all have a happy and enjoyable Christmas and that in the midst of all the busyness and commercialisation you will find time to come to one of our special Christmas services; we would love to see you.

We don’t have a John Lewis or M & S budget; we shouldn’t need it because the message at the heart of Christmas is that God loves us so much he came amongst us as one of us. This is a message that stays with us long beyond the time when decorations are down and the television starts to advertise holidays instead of Christmas. It is a message full of hope, a message of light shiningin the darkness: a baby born, a baby that is God with us, Emmanuel.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Caroline

CHRISTMAS  SERVICES

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Carol Services:Monday 8th 6 pm St Lawrence House

Tuesday 16th 2 pm Stadhampton School (in church)

Thursday 18th 6 pm St Laurence School (in church)

Thursday 18th 7 pm On the Green, Warborough

Friday 19th 7 pm St Katherine, Chiselhampton

Saturday 20th 6 pm St Giles, Newington

Sunday 21st 5 pm St John the Baptist, Stadhampton

Sunday 21st 7.30 pm St Laurence, Warborough

Christmas Eve:4 pm Crib Service, Warborough5 pm Crib Service, Stadhampton11.30 pm Midnight Communion, Warborough11.30 pm Midnight Communion, Stadhampton

Christmas Day: 8 am Holy Communion, Warborough

9.30 am Christmas Communion, Stadhampton

11 am Christmas Communion, Warborough

St Giles, Newington. There will be a service of Holy Communion during December & January; for details please contact Revd Caroline King.

St. Lawrence House, Warborough. There will be a Carol Service on Monday 8th December at 6 pm and Holy Communion on Tuesday 20th January at 2.15 pm.

St Birinus Church, Dorchester Roman Catholic Services Masses: Weekdays 9.30am, Sat at 6.30pm, Sun at 11.00am and 9.30am at Berinsfield. Confessions; Sat between 5.45 - 6.15pm or upon request. Exposition &Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament: 1st Sun monthly 5 - 6.00pm. Children’s Liturgy of the Word: Sun 9.30am during Berinsfield Mass.

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CHURCH FLOWERS

7th December Pippa 14th December Pippa 21st December Pippa 28th December Pippa

“CAROLS ON THE GREEN”

Thursday 18th December at 7 pm

St Laurence Church and The Six Bells invite you to come and sing Carols outside the pub whilst enjoying a Mince Pie and a glass of Mulled Wine or Juice. Do bring all the family!

November’s All Saintstide Service

Those of you who attended our annual All Saintstide service last month may have noticed that something had changed from previous years – this year each candle, once lit, was placed in a trough of sand and candle light glowed throughout the service. These troughs were in fact pieces of white guttering for which we have to thank Blanchford Building Supplies on the Beadle Trading Estate in Wallingford who very kindly donated the guttering and end stops! We know some people were disappointed that the names of their loved ones weren’t read out as had happened in the past. For many years it has been the case that names of those who have died during the preceding 3 years are included in the service and, after that, everyone is invited to add names to the list in church or via email. We’ll remind you of this during the month before the service next year to avoid further disappointment.

Recent Church Service CollectionsHarvest Thanksgiving Giving Service Collection at School £202.82 in aid of Kamuli School in Uganda and The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

All Saints Service Collection £232.41 in aid of Church Flower Fund.

Remembrance Service Collection in Church £175.67 in aid of Royal British Legion.

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Sue Dyke

Particularly on behalf of the Church Council and congregation, but also as an ordinary member of the Warborough and Shillingford community, I want to express deep appreciation of the work done for many years now by Sue Dyke, as a most capable and imaginative editor, who indeed doubled up for a time as advertising manager as well.

In Pangbourne, for a short time I took on the simpler job of putting together a smaller magazine, in no way comparable to the professional publication that Sue has personally developed for us, but that experience gives me some sense of what the task involves.

Sue I know is the first to recognise the benefit of keen photographers helping with some of the outstanding covers, the many people who contribute regular and occasional written items, and those who place advertisements, but nothing like the success that has been achieved would have been possible without her enterprise and skill.

So, Sue, on behalf of all your contributors, readers and advertisers, many thanks for a job exceedingly well done, and for your careful hand-over to your successor.

Enjoy your ‘retirement’! Brian Newey

Available for meetings, children’s parties etc.

Reasonable Rates - Good Car Parking Please contact: Pat Arnold 858948

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Remembrance SundayOn Sunday November 9th villagers gathered at the War Memorial to remember those who lost their lives during both World Wars. The Reverend Caroline King read the names of the villagers who are listed on the War Memorial. The Parish Chairman. Michael Herbert, laid a wreath and said the exultations. Poppies were put around and in front of the War Memorial. The Last Post was played and afterwards there was a service in St Laurence Church.

FROM THE REGISTERSChristening

9th November Emily Scane (S)Burial of Ashes

23rd October Neil Robertson (W)

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Welcome to Mowers & Growers news!

In December our Club will be celebrating Christmas with a social evening organised by our Chairman in St Laurence Hall on Wednesday 17th at 7pm.

Our first meeting of the new year on Wednesday 28th January 7.15pm will be a “Gardeners’ Question Time” session using members’ knowledge and expertise to solve plant problems and gardening dilemmas. So, if you have such a problem or dilemma you’d like to solve, why not come along? – there will be no charge for guests.

 Our meetings are usually held on the last Wednesday of each month from 7.15 in St Laurence Hall. For further information about our forthcoming events or if you’re interested in becoming a member of our garden club, Mowers & Growers, please call Anne Catterson-Smith on 859963.

ST. LAURENCE HALL CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS OF THE MONTHLY CASH DRAWON 13TH NOVEMBER. THEY WERE:- 1ST Prize £45.00 No. 154 Rosemary Heelas Warborough 2nd Prize £15.0 No. 41 Jackie Thackrah Shillingford 3rd Prize £10.0 No. 50 Sarah Martin Warborough

THE NEXT MONTHLY CASH DRAWS WILL BE AT 11.00am DURING THE COFFEE MORNINGS ON

THURSDAY 11th DECEMBER andTHURSDAY 8th JANUARY 2015

HALL IMPROVEMENTSQuotations for the external work we intend to address during next year are now to hand which will enable us to progress applications for a grant. Our application to TOE2 (TRUST FOR OXFORDSHIRE’S ENVIRONMENT) for a £500.00 grant to help fund carry out an Energy Audit on the hall has been approved and will be actioned early next year. The audit will be a basis for identifying actions to make the building more comfortable at the same time help to reduce the running costs. FUNDRAISINGPreparing for the Coffee Morning and Christmas Bazaar was very much on our minds when writing these notes but knowing how supportive everyone is in helping to raise funds for improving St. Laurence Hall we shall be well satisfied with the outcome. Ken Webb

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Warborough Post Office

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Your Post Office is open in St Laurence Hall at the following times: Monday to Friday 09.00 to 13.00. Saturday 09.00 to 12.00. The Last Collection Time at the Post Office by Royal Mail is 11.05 am. For the full range of facilities available at Warborough Post Office please see Web Site at www.postoffice.co.uk

Christmas Preparations - Latest Great News from your Post OfficeNow Big Sender. Bring all your Christmas Parcels to Warborough Post Office. You will be quite astounded at the concessions that have been made to give you the best possible service.

UK ParcelsThere is now a new maximum for Small Parcels. This has gone up to 4 times a Shoe Box. ie 45cm x 35cm x 16cm. The weight limit is 2Kg. This is for both First and Second Class post in UK. Its 80% bigger so do come and see and collect a new leaflet on sizes and prices. Overseas Parcels A new overseas weight band has been introduced of 0 to 60g so this should help customers with smaller parcels. Again do come for a leaflet with prices and sizes.

Collection of ParcelsDo use the Royal Mail arrangements which allows you to collect parcels from Warborough Post Office rather than the Delivery Office in Wallingford. Do also remember that both Parcel Force and Royal Mail will very often leave Parcels in Warborough Post Office rather than your address if no one is in.

For Christmas Gifts Do consider Gift Cards redeemable at most High Street Shops or perhaps the Presentation Packs of Stamps which are very good to make children think of other things than computers. The latest Presentation Packs list all of our Prime Ministers. Again worth a look.

Last Posting Dates for ChristmasA leaflet is available with all the last posting dates. UK Second Class 18 Dec 14UK First Class 20 Dec 14UK Parcelforce Worldwide Express 48 22 Dec 14UK Parcelforce Worldwide Express 24 23 Dec 14UK Royal Mail Special Delivery 23 Dec 14 Australia 4 Dec 14New Zealand 3 Dec 14USA 12 Dec 14Ireland 13 Dec 14France 13 Dec 14Germany 13 Dec 14Canada 9 Dec 14China 3 Dec 14

SavingsDo call for a leaflet if you are thinking of changing your savings arrangements. Most of the Post Office savings accounts are listed as Best Buys in the Sunday Papers. Worth a look. Premium Bond applications also available.

Health LotteryIn agreement with the Village Stores the Post Office is now your local terminal for the Health Lottery.

Christmas Greetings to all our CustomersThank you for your support throughout the year in helping to keep the Post Office in Warborough viable. Please continue to support Warborough Post Office in 2015. Mike Powell

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The Magazine Team would like to take this opportunity of wishing all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a Peaceful 2015.

Thanks to our team of distributors, our contributors, and all our advertisers for your continued support.

Please mention the magazine if you use any of our advertisers’ services!

YOUR VILLAGE HALL Exercise classes, Keep Fit, Jujitsu, Short Mat Bowls,

Children’s Drama & Women’s Institute all take place at the hall.

To hire the hall or tables, chairs and cutlery for your own special occasion

Contact: Will Partridge on 01865 858412 or 07714991933Booking Clerk & Caretaker

 

Come and join us at the

VILLAGE COFFEE MORNING Just drop in for a coffee and a chat in St Laurence Hall, Warborough 10.00 – 12 noon

Thursday 11th December - Pat & Chris

Wallingford Farmers Market 8.30am - 1.30pmTuesday 16 December

Tuesday 17 January

Market Place and Feathers Yard, Wallingford

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At the last two meetings we have displayed our photographs on the subjects of ‘Hats’ and ‘Umbrellas’. Hats proved to be a popular subject but Umbrellas appeared to be more difficult to interpret. The winning photographs

are now displayed in St Laurence Hall for all to see.Our next meetings will be held on 8th and 22nd December when the subjects for the display will be ‘Scales’ and ‘Balloons’. In January we shall meet on 5th and 19th when the subjects will be ‘Bicycles’ and ‘Church Windows’If you are interested in photography why not come along - we cater for all different

levels of competence.Have a look at our members’ photographs at  www.wandsfocusgroup.org.uk

For more information contact Ray Thackrah on 01865 858541

SWATA NEWS

SWATA Quiz - Many thanks for your Support A big ’Thank You’ to all of you who supported the SWATA Quiz and made it such a great evening. We raised just over £1200 which is a really good start to towards our resurfacing fund.Special thanks go to Rick Rowse our splendid Quizmaster and to Michael Herbert for his impeccable scoring. And of course it would not have happened without a lot of hard work from the Committee and everyone who helped with cooking the delicious chilli and brownies, bar work, washing up etc –many thanks to you all.

Classes and regular sessionsDuring the winter the regular classes will continue:Adults –Tuesdays and Saturdays 10-11a.mJuniors- (ages 10-12) 11.15-12.15Roll-up sessions are the Saturday (ladies) and Sunday (men) at 9a.m -do come along if you fancy a game. Please be careful though as the dreaded moss is creeping back. The courts will be treated but it is difficult to eradicate completely.

As always, if you would like to know more about tennis in Warborough – either as a player or non playing supporter, do please speak to Fiona (Fiona@thereays.net) or any of the Committee.

Many thanks and best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.Tim Martin, Chair, SWATA

Committee: Amanda Rowse (Deputy Chair), Chas Bain, Milly Duncan, Charles Humphries, Susie Mee, Lesley Munro-Faure, Cherry Pearson, Fiona Reay

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WARBOROUGH PARISH COUNCIL

Broadband Update

On 21st November SODC will receive from BT a list of areas which can be added into the BT rollout programme for the additional funding secured by SODC. (£2m total funding - they

received matched funding from Broadband Delivery UK).  The final decision and potential rollout timetable is expected to be announced during December 2014.  it seems certain that as Warborough & Shillingford are one of the largest communities currently excluded from BT/Oxford County Council's Rural Broadband Programme, there remains a high chance of success that we will be included.  Our thanks to Dominic Carter, who will attend the presentation in November.

Neighbourhood Plan

The Parish council have agreed to support an open meeting to be held by the Warborough and Shillingford Society to assess the need for a Neighbourhood Plan.

Playground

Various quotations are being assessed and additional funding will be sought over the coming months.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be in the Greet Memorial Hall on Wednesday 3rd December at 7.30pm.

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School news

Last month the children looked wonderful in their array of Superhero costumes - as did the staff. A magnificent £258 was raised for Children in Need.

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PUZZLE PAGE

SU DOKU

Fill in each grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits

1 to 9.

Answers on page 16.

WORDBOX

M G N

T U I

E D A

Your rating: - 15 words average. 20 words good. 25 words very good. 30 words excellent.WASQUIZ1. Generous George won some money on the lottery and decided to give one

third to his wife, one fifth to each of his two daughters, then keep the remaining £120 for himself. How much did he win?

2. Who is the actor that plays Peter Barlow in ITV’s Coronation Street?3. Which two words meaning ‘level’ and ‘relative’ combine into one meaning ‘cake’?4. What is the symbol for the ‘Children in Need’ appeal?5. To which war did Lord Tennyson’s poem ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade’ refer? 6. The lyrics of which Christmas Carol includes the phrase ‘In heaven the bells

are ringing’?7. What is the meaning of the Latin phrase ‘Vivat Regina’?8. ‘Flemish Bond’ and ‘English Bond’ are terms relating to which craft?9. How many edges are on a twenty pence coin?10. How do you write 25th December 2014 in Roman Numerals?

In ten minutes, find as many words as possible using only the letters in the box.Each word must use the centre letter and at least three others, and letters can only be used once. Plurals, foreign words or proper nouns are not allowed, but verb forms ending in ‘s’ are permitted.There is one nine-letter word in the box.

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There were no delays in getting our November meeting off to a flying start – with everyone in their seat – the customary hymn over and birthday cards delivered, we had ‘lift off ’.Richard Pascoe joined us to talk about his devoted interest in aircraft and flying, no doubt initiated by his father who was an ex RAF Wellington bomber pilot and later a Captain with BOAC, now British Airways. Richard’s relaxed style of speaking – (his mother, a talented musician who attended the Royal College of Music must surely have passed on a few genes) – held everyone’s attention as he explained how he gained acceptance to a flying school and so start his lifelong career in flying. Unique photographs for many of the planes Richard piloted added to the interest for all. It was particularly interesting to hear how relieved he felt when he had completed his first commercial landing with passengers on board. It was just the first of the two thousand plus that followed. Thank you Richard for an enjoyable afternoon.

In December we make our annual visit to St. Laurence School when the pupils entertain us with their programme of singing and later share some homemade cakes with a cup of tea.

Also in December we visit the Coach and Horses P. H. in Chiselhampton for our Christmas Lunch Party.

Our first meeting in 2015 will be on the 6th of January. Why not join us?

Warborough Silver Threads meet on the first Tuesday of each month (except August) at 2.15pm in the St. Laurence Hall.We are always ready to welcome new members, guests and visitors to our meetings.

Warborough Walkers will bemeeting at The Cricket Pavilion at 9.45 am 18th December

Everyone is welcome to join us. Our walks are always on the 3rd Thursday of the month and we walk about 5 miles.

Further information from Sue Rampton 858126

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November: Katy Dyer from ‘Colour Me Beautiful’ came to our meeting on Wednesday, 12th November and provided a talk and demonstration about the very varied ‘style’ advice she gives to clients. She told us that women wear 20% of their clothes 80% of the time and that knowing what suits you best, particularly which colours go best with your skin tone and hair and eye colour helps. It was fascinating seeing her ‘models’, chosen from

the members, demonstrating so clearly how certain colour tones on swatches lain around their necks enhanced a person looks. Personality also plays a large part in style. She also gave useful advice about tying scarves and how smaller necklaces suit shorter women and larger one taller women.

Book Group: “Cod” by Mark Kurlansky is the remarkable story of a fish whose economic importance was understood by the Vikings, would feed the slaves who built the West Indian sugar trade, and would be so valuable countries would go to war over fishing areas. A fascinating read with something for everyone. The book for November was ‘Barchester Towers’ by Anthony Trollope.  It is a delightful and beautifully observed tale of church folk in a small cathedral city. Trollope is a witty and amusing narrator who gives his characters, both men and women, depth and nuance. In December the group will meet to share published Recollections of Christmas. The January 2015 book will be “The Garden of Evening Mist” by Tan Twan Eng.

December: As usual we have invited husbands and partners to join us for our Christmas Party on Wednesday, 10th December where in addition to supper we will be joined by Kate Lace who will tell us about her earlier career in the army and now as a romantic novelist. The evening will start at 7.00 for 7.30 pm.

January: This meeting on Wednesday, 14th January should be fascinating with a talk about Pinewood Studios.

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and New Year.

We would love to see some new members come along in January.More information about W.I. events is in the Newsletter.

Names and contact detailsSarah Allan, President, tel 01865 858673 Julie Meadows, tel 01865 858755Chris Tilley, Treasurer, tel 01865 858738 Ann Wells, Secretary, tel 01865 341246

DORCHESTER-ON-THAMES HISTORICAL SOCIETY

MEETING IN THE VILLAGE HALL BACK ROOM STARTING AT 7-30 P.M.

January 28th POVERTY IN DORCHESTER-ON-THAMES MARGOT METCALFE FOLLOWED BY THE A.G.M.

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PUZZLE PAGE ANSWERS

Dorchester Team News

ConfirmationThe Bishop of Dorchester will conduct a service of Confirmation for the Team in Dorchester Abbey at 6pm on Sunday 7th December. Do come and support those from our Team churches and further afield who are being confirmed.

PACT Carol ConcertBack by popular demand, PACT’s annual carol concert is being held once again at Dorchester Abbey on Sunday 14th December. There will be a children’s tea party from 5pm-6pm with fun activities for the children and refreshments for all. This will be followed by the carol concert at 6pm-7:30pm with performances from the Abbey Choir, Cranford House Junior Choir and professional soprano Erin Hughes as well as lots of opportunities for the congregation to join in for classic Christmas carols.The carol concert is free to attend but there will be a retiring collection to raise funds for therapeutic services for adopted and fostered children. We look forward to seeing you there and encourage you to bring friends and the whole family to join in the festivities.Tickets are free but must be booked in advance via PACT’s website: www.pactcharity.org/carolsTickets are limited so please don’t delay and register for tickets today.

Save these dates! ”Understanding St Paul and his Epistles” on Sunday evenings during Lent. Further details at the beginning of the year, in magazines and leaflets.

WORDBOX: 9-letter word is MAGNITUDE

WASQUIZ1. £450. 2. Chris Gascoyne. 3. par-kin.4. Pudsey Bear. 5. The Crimean War 1854-1856.

6. Ding Dong Merrily on High. 7. Long Live the Queen. 8. They are styles of bricklaying.9. Seven.10. XXV XII MMXIV

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December at The Corn Exchange, Wallingford

CINEMA (starts at 7.30pm unless otherwise stated)

Mon 1st to Thurs 4th: Third Person (15)Fri 7th, Mon 8th: Love Rosie (15)Tues, 9th: John. NT Live showing at 8pm. DV8 Physical

Theatre company’s powerful new production direct from the National Theatre depicts real-life stories combining movement and spoken word to create a moving theatrical experience. Contains adult themes, strong language and nudity. Suitable for 18 yrs+.

Wed 10 th, Thurs 11th: Say When (15)Fri 12th to Wed 17th: The Imitation Game (12A)Thurs 18th, Fri 19th: Mr Turner (12A)Sat 20th at 10.30am Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible (PG)Sat 20th, Sun 21st, Mon 22nd Mr Turner (12A)

LiveSat 6th: Performing Angels and Stars Stage School Show. A showcase of talent on the theme of a night at the movies. 2pm and 7pm. Tickets £10, senior citizens and under 15s £6.

Fri 16th to Sat 31st January 2015. Beauty and the Beast. Side-splitting comedy and action-packed adventure is guaranteed in Sinodun Players’ version of this truly traditional panto. Tickets on sale now: £10 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, £12 on Fridays and Saturdays. Under-16s, £6 throughout. No performances on Sunday or Monday.

Bookings can be made in person or by telephoning the box office, 01491 825000, (open 10am-2pm Fridays and Saturdays and 7-8 each evening), or online at www.cornexchange.org.uk. Listings may occasionally be subject to change. Please check website for up-to-date

   

                                                                     

Mon-­Fri      7.00am  -­  7.00pm  Saturday  8.00am  -­  7.00pm        Sunday      8.00am  -­  1.00pm  

 

Fresh Bread Fresh Fruit & Vegetables Newspapers and Magazines

Good selection of wines and spirits and beers always available

 Please continue to support your Village Store it is an important part of village life and you will always receive a friendly welcome!

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FROM YOUR COUNTY COUNCILLOR LORRAINE LINDSAY-GALE

GCSE RESULTS RISE ABOVE NATIONAL AVERAGE58.6% of Oxfordshire students gained five A* to C graded GCSEs including English and Maths in 2014. The national state-funded school average for the same measure was 56.1%. Oxfordshire is also now in the top 25 per cent of local authority areas for progress in Maths and more students reached the expected progress in English than the national average. The new system measures the results from the first time the exams are sat, without including resits as before.More information at: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/news/2014/oct/oxfordshire-surges-ahead-national-averages-gcse

ROADWORKS AROUND OXFORDDue to a sequence of successful applications by the Local Enterprise partnership, a business-led organisation that works alongside all Oxfordshire’s councils, the County Council has received significant funding from central government to allow us to carry out major projects around Oxford. We already had planned extensive repairs to the London Road in Headington, and this will improve bus and cycle facilities at the same time. The work on the Kennington and Hinksey Roundabout’s will increase capacity by 30% improving traffic flow in the long term. There are plans to improve Frideswide Square, the Cutteslowe and Wolvercote roundabouts, the Milton and Chilton interchanges on the A34 along with several other schemes across the county. Full details can be found at: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/public-site/major-current-roadworks. Whilst we acknowledge these road works cause disruption in the short term, to do nothing is not an option as it would result in far worse congestion in the future.

OXFORD TRANSPORT STRATEGYThe Oxford Transport Strategy is being developed to find ways to cope with rising demand for transport in and around the city and will form part of the County Council’s Local Transport Plan. It follows a series of public meetings that discussed how we can create transport systems to sustain forecasts of 85,000 new jobs and 100,000 extra homes by 2031.Buses would remain a central part of the city’s future transport, along with proposals for a ‘mass transit system’ such as a tram route linking outer suburbs to the city centre. Increasing Park and Ride capacity outside the ring road to encourage more drivers to take public transport into the city is another major part of the draft strategy. The Oxford Transport Strategy is being developed using ideas and feedback provided as part of Connecting Oxfordshire. A final version will be published in Spring 2015 following further consultation.More information at: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/news/2014/oct/better-oxford-despite-increased-future-transport-demands

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SUCCESS OF BOOKS ON PRESCRIPTION VIA LIBRARIES LEADS TO EXPANSIONA special national scheme via which library services provide books for people experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems such as anxiety and depression is proving successful in Oxfordshire.The Books On Prescription Scheme was introduced into six Oxfordshire Libraries in June 2013 (Oxford Central, Abingdon, Witney, Banbury, Didcot and Thame). It proved to be so much in demand that the county council’s library service expanded the service to a further six libraries in April 2014 (Bicester, Cowley, Wantage, Henley, Kidlington and Carterton).More information at: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/news/2014/oct/books-prescription-project-succeeds-oxfordshire-libraries

Warborough and Shillingford Pre-School A small and friendly Pre-School set in the beautiful South Oxfordshire countryside.

Purpose-built premises in the grounds of St Laurence School, Warborough, with garden and all weather outside area enabling freeflow indoors and outdoors play.• Impressive Ofsted reports. • Idividually-tailored learning based on structured free play. • Children welcome from 2 years old (nappies no problem).• Open Monday to Friday 9.00am - 3.00pm with flexible morning and afternoon

sessions. After school care from 3.00pm - 5.30 pm for children aged 3 to 11 years. Sessions £3.90 per hour.

Early Years voucher funding and most other childcare funding accepted.For more information or to arrange a visit for your child,

contact the Pre-School Manager on 01865 859933www.warboroughandshillingfordpreschool.co.uk

WALLINGFORD U3A

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George and Mary Duckworth

Wish all their Warborough & Shillingford friends

A very Happy Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous, and healthy New Year.

We will be making a donation to a local charity instead of sending cards again this year.

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Some of us had a few misgivings about our November talk which was on 'Raleigh Bicycles' but in the event it was fascinating. A straw poll revealed that a majority of the audience had had a Raleigh at some time, and there was a tide of affection. Frank Bowden founded the Raleigh Company in 1880. A stock market millionaire, he had become invalid and his doctor advised him to try getting a bike. He regained his health and became committed to cycling. He set up this iconic British company in Nottingham, among other things providing work for skilled unemployed lace makers. Lace was going out of fashion so, in1894, Bowden expanded into redundant lace factories, then, in1903 built the Raleigh Works on a greenfield site on the outskirts of Nottingham. In the next 9 years the factory achieved 500 percent growth. In 1913 Raleigh sold 56,000 cycles. The interwar years saw the heyday of cycling and cycling clubs. Living standards were rising and people had more leisure time. The Tour de France began, World Championships were won, and records were set (John o' Groats to Land's End, 866 miles, in 61 hours and 28 minutes!). But the 1960s saw a slump in sales: people were beginning to afford cars. Cycling to work declined with the decline in labouring jobs. Suits and ties didn't suit. 'BO' was invented as centrally heated office jobs became the norm. But leisure bikes began to come back. There is a renaissance in cycling and Raleigh is now producing bikes costing from a few hundred to thousands of pounds. But, the way things go, in 2012 Raleigh was sold to a Dutch company. Our Speaker, Tony Hadland, held us spell bound.

We meet in Crowmarsh Village Hall on the first Wednesday of each month at 2.00 pm. Visitors are always welcome.

2015 events Jan. 7th Mrs Valerie Calderbank:

A Tour of the Universe ------ from Solar system to Milky Way.Jan. 28th New Year Lunch

We now have a dozen different interest groups. To find out more about us visit

www.u3asites.org.uk/wallingford, or phone Jill on 01491 835994, or Hermione on 01865 858 024

John Howell MP writes... November 2014

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!! Although this newsletter looks back at October and early November the

lead times of some Parish Magazines are such that it may be December before this is published. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to wish all constituents a peaceful Christmas. It is my wish for us all that 2015 will be a good year. May I also say thank you to all those who work hard in our communities to make them special for the rest of us. It is always a pleasure when I get the opportunity to visit community activities and I look forward to learning yet more about what is being done during the forthcoming year.

I was recently elected to sit on the Justice Select Committee which examines the expenditure, administration and policy of the Ministry of Justice. Since I joined the Committee we have taken evidence for an inquiry on Manorial Rights and on the impact of changes to civil legal aid. The Committee has also embarked on its first major inquiry on the government's programme of reforms and efficiency savings in prisons. As part of this we have made visits to prisons in the UK and Europe to gather first hand evidence particularly on the use of the prison estate. Select Committees are an essential part of scrutinising government and much of the work of the House takes place in committees.

Poor mobile coverage in the constituency is often raised with me. Therefore I welcome new steps being taken by the government to improve mobile coverage and end 'partial not-spots' – areas where there is coverage from one or more but not all of the four mobile networks. Currently 11.5% of Oxfordshire suffers from these partial not-spots – much of which seems to be in the south. This poor mobile phone coverage makes it harder for people to communicate and businesses to operate. Following my exchange with the Minister in the House of Commons in mid-October, he confirmed that government is looking at a system of national roaming which Ofcom says is technically possible.

On a lighter note, I am often asked what I do to relax. I was recently given the opportunity to mix business with pleasure when I conducted a scratch choir in a choral evensong to help the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust (OHCT) fund-raising campaign for its Jubilee Year. In its Jubilee Year OHCT has a campaign to raise £3 million for Oxfordshire's churches. The evensong was a way for me to make a practical contribution to raise awareness of the campaign. The evensong was held at Great Milton church, one of many in the constituency that have received funding from OHCT. Our churches are an important part of our heritage and OHCT does a great job in helping with the restoration of many churches. I am pleased to have supported it.

Email: howelljm@parliament.uk Website: www.johnhowellmp.com To be added to my regular updates email me at

john.howell@oxfordshireconservatives.com

Science Exchange Wallingford

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The River of Life: creating new wetland habitats along the River ThamesLizzie Rhymes, Environment Agency & Chris Parker, Earth Trust

Tuesday 20th January, 7.00pm for 7.30pm, Wallingford School Library

Working with the Environment Agency, the Earth Trust is creating a truly wild stretch of river. Avoiding any impacts on navigation, they have introduced backwaters to feed new wetland habitats on the south bank of the Thames for approximately 2.5 kilometres in length. In June 2014, the River of Life was the joint recipient of the Best Practice Award for Practical Nature Conservation at the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management.

Lizzie & Chris will tell us about the challenges of digging wetland habitats, the results to date, plans for the future and the environment and social benefits this project is providing.

Science Exchange Wallingford is at 7.30pm on Tuesday 20th January in Wallingford School Library, St George’s Road, Wallingford – doors open from 7.00pm. Light refreshments are available and each event is free to attend. We are privileged to be a Café Scientifique.(http://www.cafescientifique.org/).

Happy Gardening! Stuart Mabbutt

Rich earth tone colors, falling leaves, everything preparing to take a well-deserved rest over the winter. Migrants from north, leaves turning falling, fungi. A season of mists and mellow fruitfulness - beautiful colours signaling the end of year. Bejeweled cobwebs glittering in the sun after a frost or a mist.These are just some of the descriptive terms you have mentioned to me.

Plenty to do out in the wildlife garden in winter though. Fruit trees and hedges to be pruned, but don’t overdo it, leave some to berry to provide food and shelter. The prunings can be turned into stick piles and used to thicken up the bases of hedges as well. It’s a great season in which you may have the time to consider some big projects - digging a pond, for example, making some new wildlife nestboxes or digging out a new flowerbed.

What the wildlife wants at this time of year is food, water and shelter, so don’t be tidying everything away or raking up every leaf in sight. Under a layer of leaves can be a degree or two warmer so that’s where much of the wildlife could be. Garden by all means but care needs to be taken to avoid wholesale destruction. It won’t just be hedgehogs hibernating under those leaves under your hedge.The world won’t come to an end if those leaves stay there will it?

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Hildebrand Gurlitt, Nazi Art looter

December's talk to The Wallingford Historical and Archaeological Society (TWHAS) will be by Susan Ronald. She will present 'Hildebrand Gurlitt, Nazi Art looter'.

Susan Ronald will describe her new research on Hildebrand Gurlitt, the Nazi art dealer to Hitler who extorted or looted a billion-dollar collection from Jewish collectors, whose reclusive son Cornelius was recently discovered to still be hoarding the collection in his house in Munich. Her publisher’s deadline is 10 December so this will an up-to-the-minute treat to round off the TWHAS programme of talks for 2014.

This talk will be held on Friday 12th December, 8 pm at Wallingford Town Hall.Visitors (£3) are most welcome.www.twhas.org.uk

Museum bookshop

As usual, Wallingford Museum will close for its winter break (Dec - Feb) to carry out refurbishment and prepare an exciting new exhibition for next year - 'Wallingford's Royal Castle Revealed' , together with a display highlighting Wallingford's mention in the Magna Carta. The Museum will re-open on 3rd March 2015.

But don't forget that the highly successful Museum bookshop, with its constantly changing stock of good second-hand books (all modestly priced) will remain open during December, January and February.

The shop will be open on Fridays and Saturdays from 10.30am to 1.00pm. Also, do please continue to donate your second-hand books.www.wallingfordmuseum.org.uk

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VILLAGE DIRECTORY

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Team Vicar The Revd Caroline King 858525Parish Office 858381Priest The Revd Myles Godfrey 858627Churchwardens Mr Richard Pascoe 858747

Mrs Edna Strange 858158Licensed Lay Ministers/Readers Mr Brian Newey 858322

Mrs Edna Strange 858158PCC Treasurer Mr Mike Powell 858776Organist Mrs Pat Hopkins 858234Bellringers Mrs Sue Dyke 858555Sunday Club Mrs Nicola Tiedeman 858816Church Flower Arrangers Mrs Pippa Lamb 858475Friends of St Laurence Church Mr Rick Rowse 858362St Laurence Hall Bookings Mrs Pat Arnold 858948Parish Magazine Mrs Ann Cockroft 858637Parish Council Clerk Ms Jo Burns 07756 199480Greet Hall Bookings Mr Will Partridge 858412St Laurence School Ms Nicole Cooper 858270Parents & Friends Association Mr John Cooke 859923Pre-School Group (WASPS) Pre-School Manager 859933Allotment Organiser Mr Will Partridge 858412Focus Group (Photography) Mr Ray Thackrah 858541Lunch Club Mrs Chris Buckland Jones 01491 839122Mowers & Growers (Gardening) Ms Anne Catterson-Smith 859963Silver Threads Mrs Muriel Potter 858592W & S Cricket Club Mr Jonnie Bradshaw 858340W & S Short Mat Bowls Club Mr Bill Woodward 858257W & S Society Mrs Liz Eaton 858434W & S Tennis Club (SWATA) Mrs Fiona Reay 858302Warborough & Shillingford WI Mrs Sarah Allan 858673Warborough Walkers Mrs Sue Rampton 858126Neighbourhood Watch 101Doctor Berinsfield Health Centre 340558Surgery Car Service Mr Raj Niventheran, The Stores 858231

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What’s On in December 2014 and January 2015

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

discretion.

Copy date for the next edition Thursday 15th January 2015

Parish Magazine Contacts

Editor: Ann Cockroft, 23 The Green South, Warborough, OX10 7DR

tel: 01865 858637 email: wspmag@outlook.com

Advertising: Milly Duncan, Cranbrook Cottage, 17 The Green South, Warborough

tel: 0771 7666019 email: millyduncan@yahoo.com

The magazine is published monthly (apart from single issues for July/August and December/January) and is distributed to all households in the parish.

Cover photograph by Ray Thackrah

Presentation to Sue Dyke

Wed 3rd Parish Council Meeting in the Greet Hall at 7.30pm

Mon 8th St Lawrence House - Carols at 6pm

Focus Photographic Club in St Laurence Hall 7.30-9.30pm

Wed 10th WI Christmas Party in The Greet Hall

Thu 11th Village Coffee Morning in St Laurence Hall 10.00-12.00

Wed 17th Mowers & Growers in St Laurence Hall at 7pm

Thu 18th Carols on the Green outside the Six Bells at 7pm

Warborough Walkers meet at the Pavilion at 9.45am

Mon 22nd Focus Photographic Club in St Laurence Hall 7.30-9.30pm

January 2015

Mon 5th Focus Photographic Club in St Laurence Hall 7.30-9.30pm

Tue 6th Silver Threads in St Laurence Hall at 2.15pm

Thu 8th Village Coffee Morning in St Laurence Hall 10.00-12.00

Wed 14th WI Meeting in The Greet Hall

Mon 19th Focus Photographic Club in St Laurence Hall 7.30-9.30pm

Tue 20th St Lawrence House Communion at 2.15pm

Wed 28th Mowers & Growers in St Laurence Hall at 7.15pm

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