Copy for the next edition should be given to Mr. George Adams at "Karibu", Main Street, tel: 680286 by midnight on
Sunday, 24thAprilplease.

If you normally prepare your material using a computer, it would make my life easier ifyou could submit your offering in electronic form, though paper is, of course, fine. My ‘official’ e-mail address is: news-editor @ oxhill.org.uk if you wish to send me stuff that way.

This edition (437) was edited by George Adams.

Mobile Library

The library van will continue to visit Oxhill on Tuesdays, stopping at the Village Hall at 10 a.m. and staying there for 30 minutes.

This monththe van will visit us on Tuesday 19th.

You can renew books between van visits by calling 01926 851031, or online atwww.Warwickshire.gov.uk/wild.

Editor

Refuse Collections

Recycling and green waste bins (blue and green bins) will be collected on Tuesday 12th Tuesday 26th.

The grey rubbish bins will be collected on Tuesday 5th and Tuesday 19th.

Editor

Weekday Walkers

We have the following walks this month as follows:

Friday 15th April

This is a circular 5.8 mile walk from North Newington with 130 feet of ascent and lunch at “The North Arms” Wroxton. We will leave Oxhill at 10:00 a.m.

Due to the numbers on the walk Jim Saxton now contacts regular members to get meal decisions by Wednesday evening. Those who wish to join us are most welcome, but please contact Jim Saxton on 01295 680613 or at saxton @ tiscali.co.uk before the Tuesday evening prior to the walk.

Free

Free to anyone who would like to experience cycling on an old bike, no gears, etc.

Two ladies bikes, both by Triumph, one dating back to war times (1940s).

Telephone 01295 680412 (McKail)

May Issue

Please could I have all copy for the next issue by midnight on Sunday, 24th April?

If you normally prepare your material using a computer, it would make my life easier if you could submit your offering in electronic form, though paper is, of course, fine.

My ‘official’ e-mail address isnews-editor @ oxhill.org.ukif you wish to send me stuff that way.

George Adams - 680286

Cover Picture

Two beaming members of the art group. Watch out for their exhibition in the summer.

Editor

At the Peacock

Charity Quiz Nights

Because Sunday 2nd April is Mothers' Day the monthly quiz is being held over to the second Sunday, Sunday 10th, still starting at 8 p.m. This quiz will be in aid of Shipston Home Nursing.

In May the quiz night will revert to the first Sunday in May . Prodeeds from the May event will be used to help Zoe Williams, who will be climbing Kilimanjaro in aid of Air Ambulance.

In June there will be a Super Quiz and Raffle. This will be in aid of our First Responders.

Please try to make as many of the quiz nights as you can. They are great fun and raise funds for very worthy causes.

Village Events

The village coffee morning will be on Wednesday 6th, starting at 10.30, and the village lunch will be on Wednesday 20th.

Editor

Notice of Application for Road Closure

Oxhill Scarecrow Event

Would all villagers kindly note that an application has been made to Stratford on Avon District Council for the closure of roads in and around the village of Oxhill on Saturday the 18th June and Sunday the 19th June 2011 between 10 a.m. and midnight on Saturday and 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Details of closure

Main Street & Church Lane, Oxhill for their full length. Main Street from the junction with Kineton Road and Whatcote Road at one end of the village until it becomes Church Lane and continuing to its junction with Green Lane and Tysoe Road adjacent to the Church at the other end of the village. It is expected that a large number of pedestrians will be in the village and from previous experience it is desirable to ensure the safety of all visitors by diverting through traffic away from the centre of the village.

Diversionary Route

The alternative route during the period of closure will be via Green Lane and the Whatcote Road and represents only a minor detour.

Access will be maintained to all properties at all times.

Should any residents have any concerns about this application they are asked to contact Lilian Welsby on 680468.

Church Service Times

St. Lawrence Oxhill

All are warmly invited to our services

Sunday 3rd April - Mothering Sunday
9.30 a.m. Family Service (ML)

Sunday 10th - Lent V
6.30 p.m. Short Service followed by Annual Meeting (NM)

Sunday 17th - Palm Sunday
9.30 a.m. Holy Communion with Blessing of Palms (NM)

Thursday 21st - Maundy Thursday
7.30 p.m. Communion of the Last Supper at Tysoe

Friday 22nd - Good Friday
10.00 a.m. United Service at Tysoe Methodist Chapel
2.00 p.m. The "Hour by the Cross" at Brailes

Sunday 24th - Easter Sunday
9.30 a.m. Easter Communion (ML)

For details of other services in the Benefice please see the list in Church or telephone the clergy.

St. Lawrence Church - Social and Fund Raising

At the recent sub committee meeting four events were planned for this year. Please note the dates in your diary.

May 15th - Roast Lamb and Curry Lunch

This was very popular last year so we will do it again. We hope to use the Chapel Hall for this event. Further details will be provided nearer the time. This year the date of this event does not coincide with the Bluebell Walk at Whatcote which is planned for Sunday 8th May.

June 18th and 19th - Scarecrow Festival

There will be the usual pig roast for the village on the Saturday evening

September 17th - Skittles and Pig Roast

This event went very well last year so we will repeat it. A good family event.

November 12th/19th - Talgarth Male Voice Choir

We are pleased to have the Choir again. We await their decision on which of the two dates they will be performing in the Church.

We look forward to your support.

Carol Fox, Churchwarden

From The Parish Registers

Funerals: remembered with thanksgiving

March 15th - Jim Randle, aged 87

Deanery News

It was really good to welcome the Bishop of Coventry to our midst recently, and lovely that so many came to hear him speak. My thanks to those who helped with hospitality that evening.

The Deanery Lent Services on Tuesdays at 7.30 p.m. are now under way; you would be very welcome to join us at any of those still to come, i.e.

March 29th, Whatcote - Becoming Messengers
Revd. Canon Tim Pullen (Sub–Dean, Coventry Cathedral)

April 5th, Honington - Encountering God
Revd. David Cook (Incumbent, Chipping Campden)

April 12th, Pillerton Hersey - Receiving Fresh Strength
Revd. Cath Vickers (Rector, Stourdene Group)

April 19th, Long Compton - Holy Week Eucharist
Preacher: Ven. Ian Watson, Archdeacon of Warwick.

In order to fully discuss the ramifications of the Parish Share for 2012, it has become necessary for us to have an extra Deanery Synod, which will take place in St. Edmund’s Church, Shipston, on Monday, May 16th at 7.30 p.m. Full details will be coming out to Deanery Synod Representatives shortly.

Then on Thursday, June 2nd we will be celebrating Ascension Day together at St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church in Butler’s Marston, when it will be lovely to welcome as our preacher Simon Lloyd, Diocesan Secretary.

The next planned Deanery Synod will be that on Tuesday, June 7th at 7.30 p.m. at Ilmington Village Hall, when we shall welcome Roger Horsley and friends from the Church Army.

As we come near to Easter, I trust that the presence of our Risen Lord Jesus will be known to each one of you.

Jill Tucker

Afternoon Delights

In our meeting on Thursday 7th April Jackie will be showing us how to make Easter trees. She will supply most of the items needed but please bring a branch or collection of twigs (preferably bare) to make your tree together with a terracotta pot of suitable size filled with earth or gravel. Some thread or fine wool to hang the eggs and chicks will also be needed.

We are hoping to fit in another meeting on Thursday 21st to make Easter flower arrangements. Please check on the Village Hall notice board (the one on the railings at the junction of Main Street and Whatcote Road) for details.

Trisha Harbour

Notes of the Oxhill Parish Council Meeting

Tuesday 8th March 2011 at 8.00pm in theVillage Hall

Apologies were received from Grenville Moore

Matters Discussed

Finance

A grant of £600 was paid towards mowing the churchyard and a grant of £200 paid towards mowing the grass by the Village Hall for last season. £342.27 was paid for production of the Oxhill News and £205.11 paid towards the cost of towel dispensers etc for kitchen and toilets at the Village Hall. £100 was paid towards kit insurance for First Ambulance Responders.

Planning

Planning permission had been granted for erection of loose box at Church Farm and to fell a laburnum tree at Merrilees. Planning notification for creation of new vehicular access at “Eudon” was returned with no objection.

Highways

To alleviate the problem of water running down Beech Road when it is icy, the Parish Council have agreed to purchase a grit bin to be placed by the beech tree down this road. Warwickshire County Council has agreed to keep this topped up with salt grit in the winter months.

The Highways Dept has been dealing with the encroachment of the verge at “Stonecroft” and have arrived at the following: a) the yew bushes have been removed; b) the rope between the posts has been removed; c) after advice from the Forestry Dept the trees, although not native to this area, can remain as they are of a type that should not cause any problems to the highways in the future; d) the stone gateway was in place for some time prior to the present owners; e) with regard to the wooden posts it was pointed out that there are many objects placed within the highway verges which could be deemed as or more hazardous than the posts at this location. Although the Parish Councillors were not in agreement with all of the above, the majority vote was to go along with the course of action of W.C.C.

Referendum

A notice will be place on the Notice Board regarding the referendum on the voting system for United Kingdom parliamentary elections. This will take place on Thursday 5th May.

Oxhill News

As we all know George Adams is standing down after eight years as editor of this very worthwhile and invaluable news sheet. We hope that someone will come forward to carry on his good work.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 17th May 2011 at 8.00 p.m. in the Village Hall.

Annual Parish Meeting

This is your meeting. It will be held on Tuesday 12th April 2011 at 8.00 p.m. in the Village Hall. If you have any items you want placed on the Agenda please let me have them prior to the meeting, or just come along and have your say. The Parish Council is here to represent you.

Angela Kean, Clerk

Village Hall Events

Forthcoming Events

Friday 15th April - Village Hall AGM & Cheese & Wine

The Village Hall AGM will take place on at 8.30 p.m. We know that a couple of our long-serving colleagues will be standing down having made a huge contribution. Consequently there will be some opportunities for new faces and new ideas to influence the way that the Village Hall is run and the sort of event that is available.

Cheese & Wine will be available before the meeting from 7.30 p.m. onwards.

Please think seriously if and how you might contribute and if you want more details or information on what is involved please contact Derek Harbour on 680676.

Friday 20th May - Quiz Night

On Friday, May 20th we are holding one of our popular quizzes with light refreshments. As before, the quiz will be prepared by a specialist ‘author’ who normally provides them for Pubs and other events and we are fortunate enough to have access to one. There will be a variety of rounds so there is likely to be a subject that you know something about. Tickets cost £3 per person, including light refreshments and are available from Gaynor van Dyke on 680349.

Friday June 10th - Singer/songwriter Boo Hewerdine

Boo (a man with a guitar) is very well known on the folk / easy listening circuit and we are very fortunate to have secured him for a gig at the Village Hall. His first session will begin at 8.00 p.m. (doors will open at 7.00 p.m.) after which he will take a short break before completing his stint later in the evening.

If you do not instantly know the name Boo Hewerdine, think of the song Patience of Angels which he wrote and with which Eddi Reader had a hit or find out more by going to his website www.boohewerdine.net and listen to a few of his recordings.

Before coming to Oxhill, Boo has gigs in York, Barbados and Bridlington! Tickets for this very special event will cost £12.50 each and are available from Pat Crowther on 680705.

Derek Harbour

Nature Notes

Oh to be in England

Now that April’s here

And whoever wakes in England

Sees, some morning, unaware

That the lowest boughs and the brushwood sheaf

Round the elm-tree bole are in tiny leaf

While the chaffinch sings on the orchard bough

In England – now!

Robert Browning, 1845

Never mind April showers, it is such a joy to have some sunshine at last. The blossoms are coming out and the magnificent blackthorn flowers this month. Already the first young crows, rooks and jackdaws are about. We have a collared dove fledgling on our patio. The parents visit periodically through the day to feed it; like pigeons they produce a ‘milk’ which they regurgitate to feed their young. As I write this the fledgling can now just about fly up into the shrubs. It’s hard to believe that this seventh most common garden bird first bred in Britain in 1952 and its numbers are now well over a quarter of a million. In Germany it is know as the ‘television dove’ because it always calls from the aerials on the roof. Its call note, a pleasant coo, coo-coo has more recently, perhaps justifiably, been described as a “mournful, penetrating and monotonous kuk coo ku”. This call note has given rise to two other rather strange localised names: the Evostik bird, as its call sounds like E-vo-stik and in a similar vein, the United bird, U-ni-ted!

I am sure many of you have heard the pair of Canada gees flying very low over the village most days, usually at first light and again as the sun goes down. The Canada goose is not a native species, but was introduced from America from the area of New England during the later half of the 17th century. King Charles II acquired some for his wildfowl collection in St James’ Park and they were at that time known as the Colonial goose. Later in Scotland they were called the Cravat goose because of the white ‘cravat’ at the top of the neck. It is interesting to see how the name changed from Colonial to Canada. During the 17th and 18th centuries, because of its size and fast breeding ability, it became part of the nation’s diet in the form of ‘potted goose’; it was highly nutritious and possessed a good robust flavour. In 1808 the Swedish inventor Rapol Foil invented the first tin can (he later developed tin foil, which took his name), and one of the first products canned was the Colonial goose and it quickly became known simply as ‘Canned Goose’. Apparently the Arctic expedition of 1824 took 12 cans of this product. It remained very popular and the goose was often referred to as the Canning goose, which quickly, because of its North American origin, became the Canada goose. It fell out of favour at the turn of the 20th century when canned beef started to arrive from South America.

So not all bird and animal names should be taken at face value. Another example that puzzled me as a child was the Mute swan. It can hiss, growl, grunt and trumpet, whilst in flight we hear that strange and beautiful whistling from its wing feathers. It is also interesting that the old Anglo-Saxon ‘swan’ means ‘sounder’. Unlike any other wild species, Mute swans were once considered to be the property of the crown, which granted rights of ownership to local dignitaries throughout the country.

Historically it became the most expensive and prestigious dish served at the high table. Roasted swan graced every banquet. A large individual can yield a roast of anything up to 20 lbs. There are records of Henry III issuing requests for swans from across the country for the Christmas feast of 1251. The total placed on the Royal table that holiday season was 351 birds, that’s approximately three tons of swan flesh!

These nature notes definitely seem to have drifted into the subject of food, but of course all food originally comes from nature, so I will continue. As Easter approaches, thoughts go to holidays and special dinners or lunches, but our celebrations bear no resemblance to what Gervase Markham instructs the lady of the house to prepare in his book of 1683 called ‘The English House-wife’:

The House-wife shall bring to the table …. All her fricases, collops and rashers; after them all, simple broths, stewed broths, and the boylings of sundry Fowles. Next then, all sorts of rost-meates, as chine beef, or surloyne, the jiget or legs of Mutton, Goose, Swan, Veal, Pig, Capon and such like. Then bak’d meats, the hot sort, as Fallow-Deer in pastry, chickens or calves foot pye and Douset. Then cold bak’d meats, Pheasant, Partridges, Turkey, Goose, wood-cock, and such like. Then lastly, Carbonadoes both simple and compound … which will both give a most comely beauty to the Table, and very great contentment to the Guest …”

That is only the first course! The second follows on in much the same vein, but includes many types of fish. I think our ‘feast’ will be far more modest. Happy Easter.

Grenville Moore

The History of the Oxhill News

The first edition of The Oxhill News came out in June 1973, after a questionnaire circulated by the Village Hall about village amenities had shown a large majority in favour of a village news sheet. The first Editorial Board consisted of Betty Smith, (a writer and local journalist from Fern Cottage) and Annette Summers, from the Old Forge, with Stephen Smith and Joan Clark representing the youth of the village. A 25 pence donation was invited to cover ink, stencils and paper. The stencils were rolled off by John Cartmell of Payn’s House until 1975, when this task was taken over by - who else? - George and Gwyn Adams. Gwyn remembers battling with the old manual Church duplicator up in the roof at Amberway where they then lived, before an automatic machine was obtained. She also managed the finances of the News and its distribution. A faithful team of deliverers was built up, and has been later renewed as necessary.

Betty was Editor for the first 5½ years, combining this with a busy professional life. In January 1979 she resigned, and Ann Hale and Julia Leeson (in 1983 to become Julia Stirman) jointly took up the Editorship. Soon afterwards the subscriptions were taken over by Joy Bloxham, (who did this for many years), and the duplicator moved to Mr Brown at Harmony in the Whatcote Road. Mr Brown soon abandoned this antiquated method of production however, and in March 1981 the format changed to booklet form, and was photocopied.

When Mr Brown left the village in November 1982, stencils and A4 format were resumed for economy’s sake, with only occasional brief periods of photocopying. In 1988 Julia Stirman was replaced by Gaynor Van Dijk, and in 1991 Ann Hale by Jane Moore. Gaynor’s and Jane’s joint Editorship lasted until February 1998. By 1996, they found that the condition of the roneo machine by then in use was getting terminal, and photocopying seemed the only option. The subscriptions had crept up first to £1, and later to £2, but collection of them was tedious, and not always rewarding, and with the increased costs looming, an application was made to the Parish Council for subsidy. For several years grants were made to make up the shortfall in funds, and in 2005 the Parish Council took over the funding of the News completely.

In 1998 the new Editor was Father Russen Thomas, aided in succession by Debbie Harris, Sophie Jowett, and Neil and Angela Chick. The News became a booklet again, but this time with the improvement of an illustrated front cover. The content became more varied, with poetry, comment (sometimes controversial!), and – to boost funds – advertisements on the back cover. I see that Grenville began his excellent Nature Notes as far back as October, 2002!

In March 2003, George Adams began his term of office, and no-one needs to be told how professionally he has served as Editor. The layout is impressive and the content interesting, interwoven with a dry humour. The News has grown from a straightforward newsletter into a magazine with a far wider compass. George is a hard act to follow, but surely there is someone, or maybe two people, prepared to take this on? Each Editor has put their own stamp on the News, and could again. Someone once said to me years ago, when the News was previously under threat, “The Oxhill News must not die!” I agreed then and still do.

Ann Hale

Mrs Evelyn Colyer

I have written many times about Mrs Colyer, born Evelyn Gilks in Oxhill in 1908, and I am sorry now to report her death at the fine age of 102. Oxhill was the village where both sets of Evelyn’s grandparents lived – the Gilkses and the Summertons – but after her birth here, she only spent the years of the First World War in Oxhill with her mother and siblings while her father was away at the Front. After the war the family moved to Quinton, and it was there that Evelyn spent most of the rest of her life. As a young woman she worked for a time as a nanny to a military family in Aden, and it was on board ship as she returned that she met her husband, who was a naval officer. He was often away at sea, but Evelyn brought up their two children Jane and Marguerite in Quinton, where Marguerite still lives, and it was said at her funeral that the villagers felt that she “had always been there”. She always took a lively interest in village and church affairs, and the church was crowded with her family and many friends.

She always kept a special place in her heart for Oxhill, of which she had so many childhood memories, and she wrote several brief accounts of her recollections which are invaluable. I shall always remember her visits here with affection.

Ann Hale

Badminton

We desperately need more badminton players. We are a friendly club with diminishing numbers. Young ,old, all calibres. I know there are some people out there that used to play but no longer do so.

I won't mention any names! We play on Tuesday nights at Sibford School from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. It is pay as you go £2 50 each. To save money on fuel we could share lifts!

Come on, dust those rackets off; we supply the shuttle cocks!

Please call me on 01295 680263 or 07811794634

Look forward to hearing from you.

Jackie Thompson

Pat Coldicott

Older residents will remember Pat Coldicott, who lived for many years in Oxhill with her aunt and uncle Ivy and Sam Middleton in Church Lane. She spent her early years with her parents in Shirley, Birmingham, but was christened in Oxhill, her mother’s home village, on 14th November, 1943. Pat had some learning difficulties, and attended a special school in Suffolk. There were difficulties between her and her mother - Pat was not the always the easiest person - and she much preferred spending time in Oxhill with Auntie Ivy, who gave her firmness and kindness in equal measure. Lilian tells me Pat would walk from Shirley to Oxhill in order to come and stay. After she left school, Ivy and Sam took her to live with them full time, and she stayed with them even after her mother, Daisy, later came back to Oxhill to live in Beech Road. For many years Pat delivered our papers, and was a well-known (and loudly voluble) member of our community. She would still be talking to you when she rounded the next corner!

Pat moved to Stratford when Ivy became frail and went to live in Low Furlong in 1981. At first she lived independently with a low level of support, and did kitchen work in Tiddington Fields and elsewhere. Later she moved into sheltered housing, and latterly a nursing home. She had grown particularly close to one family of friends, who organized her funeral in the absence of family of her own. Many of her work colleagues attended her funeral in Shottery. She died of cancer aged 67, and was buried in Oxhill Churchyard.

Ann Hale

How Green is your Garden?

Ever wondered if that wild patch at the bottom of the garden really is good for wildlife? Well, now’s your chance to find out what to do with it (if anything!).

Following the success of the first OWLS talk from John Cooper, we are holding another informal talk for the Oxhill Wildlife Society. Bob Sherman, the Chief Horticultural Officer for Garden Organic at Ryton will be talking about the work of Garden Organic and, more importantly, what practical steps you can take to make sure you are gardening organically and ensuring your garden is a friendly habitat for all the insects and small animals that enrich the environment. Don’t miss this chance to make sure you are doing all that you can, or simply to learn more about organic and animal-friendly ways of gardening. Bob has promised to answer as many questions as possible and make the evening about practical things you can do.

The presentation will take place at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday 12th April in the Old Chapel. There will be a small charge of £2 which will go towards supporting OWLS projects.

Ed Bracher

Vicarage Notes

Dear friends,

The weeks go by and we have enjoyed some glorious weather – it’s easy to feel safe and comfortable in our beautiful corner of Warwickshire. However, we only have to glance at the media to glimpse the struggle for survival that many in the world are facing. The wind of change sweeping across North Africa is bringing both risks and new hope – our prayer is that, somehow, ordinary people there will indeed benefit from new freedoms linked to greater understanding between culture, creeds and faiths. Our thoughts go to the people of Japan, and those who have lost family and friends, homes and livelihood – we pray for all striving to bring relief and those dealing with the complexity of ensuring the safety of nuclear power.

We look forward to Easter with its proclamation of new life in Christ, of God’s love for all mankind and the expectation that the world wide Christian family will work for others as well as self.

There is, of course, a warm welcome to all the special services at this time of the year!

Deanery Lent Service – Tuesdays at 7.30pm

These continue during April: 5th Honington, 12th Pillerton and 19th Long Compton. All are very welcome. Full details in church.

Concert at Brailes

On Saturday April 2nd at 7 p.m. at St. George’s Brailes we are welcoming Erin Hughes, the runner up in the BBC choirgirl of the year competition. She will be supported by Maddy Evans and other young musicians.
Tickets on the door: £5 (under-16s free).

God bless,

Nicholas Morgan 01608 685230

Kineton Bowls Club

Outdoor Season starts in April

New and Experienced Bowlers Welcome

Coaching Available

Contact Roy Harris on 01926 642229 for more information

Wot2Grow Community Orchard

We've Done IT!! We've Got IT!!

At the beginning of February we were told by the Big Lottery Fund Local Food that we needed to meet conditions in order to get funding. A hectic couple of weeks resulted in getting over forty people to declare their interest in the orchard and over half signed up as members of the Community Interest Company that will run the orchard. So, we have been granted a substantial sum to help establish the orchard but we are still going to have to raise more funds ourselves.

Now the hard work begins as we can finalise all the paperwork, sign a lease and organise buying and planting the first fruit canes and bushes. Time is tight to get the fruit planted as March is usually the last month to get them in so they establish well. We are hoping that members and others in the villages will come along to help with the planting of just under 300 plants so we have planned four dates of activity

Saturday and Sunday April 2nd and 3rd from 2:00 p.m.

Wednesday April 6th from 10:00 – 13:00

Sunday April 10th from 2:00 p.m.

Look out for posters with more details of the dates and times along with information about the celebrity opening of the orchard!

Do come along and join in, or just watch others do the hard work, at the orchard off the Shennington Road in Tysoe behind the allotments.

Please contact one of the team for further details:

Liz Atkinson (680045),
Paul Sayer (680451),
Derek Harbour (680676),
Sue and Mike Sanderson (688080),
Graham Collier (680127),
Sam Littlewood (688137)
or see the website www.wot2grow.co.uk.

Kineton Art Group

Kineton Art Group will be holding their Open Art Exhibition and Sale of Paintings at Kineton Village Hall on Saturday and Sunday, the 7th and 8th May.

Doors will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day. Please come and enjoy the abundance of paintings by our members and many other local artists. Refreshments including tea and home-made cakes will be available throughout each day.

If you need any other information please let me know. You can telephone me on 01295 788890 or send an e.mail to gail@kinetonartgroup.co.uk.

With many thanks,

Gail O'Dell

Annual Bluebell Walk at Whatcote

‘Come for a gentle walk up to Hell Brake to see the bluebells and enjoy a cream tea in the church yard on your return’

Date: Sunday May 8th – 2.00pm to 5.00pm

Strong boots or shoes are essential
Dogs welcome if kept on a lead

The cost is £6 for adults, accompanied children free,
and this includes the tea and scones!

Plant & Produce stall. Proceeds to St Peter's Church Repairs
Free car parking will be sign posted in the village as will the start of the walk.

Contact Sue Price for more details
telephone 01295 680007
or e-mail susan.price @ ukgateway.net

Plant Sale

In aid of St David's Church -Newbold-on-Stour with Armscote

Saturday 21st May -10 am – 12.30 pm

Newbold St David's Churchyard

Great Variety ! Great value !

Tombola Refreshments Produce Stall

Plant donations greatly appreciated

Please contact Gilly Marsden 01789 459168

or deliver to Church on Friday 20th May 3 – 7 p.m.

Shipston Home Nursing

Saturday 9th April, 10.00 - 14.00

Vintage Secondhand Clothes Sale

Sheldon Bosley HUB, Shipston

Saturday 11th June

Giffords Circus

For those of you who are still wondering about joining us for Giffords Circus this June (see large advertisement elsewhere in this News) this event is replacing our Bi-Annual Ball for 2011. The evening will consist of champagne, canapes,first half of the show, interval with more drinks and canapes, second half of the show, hog roast, salads, desserts and then the Grand Finale of dancing in the tent to the fabulous band. So put on your party gear for a terrific, fun night with Giffords Circus.

For more details call Rebecca on 01608 674929

Know your Rights!

Advice from Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Service

Don't be conned - beat the scammers!

February was scams awareness month when Trading Standards Service highlighted the problems of scam mail e.g. prize draws, fake lotteries, clairvoyant predictions, get rich quick schemes and miracle health cures. The one thing they have in common is that they ask you to send money up front in order to claim your fabulous prize. However, you are unlikely to ever hear from them again and any "prize" you do receive will be worthless.

If you send money you are likely to be bombarded with further scams because your name has been added to a "sucker" list. We discovered one Warwickshire resident who had received 63 such letters in just a few months.

Many letters look very professional and are very persuasive - the recipient is often addressed by their first name, making it sound as though it is a personal offer just for them.

To reduce unwanted mail register, free, with the Mailing Preference Service on 0845 703 4599 or www.mpsonline.org.uk. Registering will make it easier to spot a scam in your mail.

Most importantly, if something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is - put the letter in the bin!

If you are not sure if a letter is a scam, contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

Shipston Police

Distraction Burglaries

Distraction Burglaries Warwickshire Police want people to be more aware of people who you don’t know at your door.

The majority of people who knock on your door are genuine caller but sometimes people will turn up unannounced. They are known as distraction burglaries or bogus caller who intend to break into homes and steal money or valuables.

Bogus callers may be smartly dressed or wear a uniform such as a council worker, police, health organisation, builders or gas, water and electricity companies. Some may ask for a drink of water or be looking for a lost pet. In fact, they may use any story to distract people. They may use ‘props’ such as an ID card or wear the company uniform with their logo on it.

Here are a few ways to safe guard your self against distraction burglaries:

Keep the front and back door locked even when at home.

Before answering the door, stop and think if you are expecting someone.

If you do decide to answer the door, put the chain or bar on. Keep the bar or chain on while you are talking to the person on the doorstep.

If you are expecting a caller, always check their identification very carefully against the letter you have been sent or ask for a password, which has been agreed, before you let them in. Do they look like the person on the card?

If you are not expecting anyone and you are alone, ask them to call back when you have someone with you.

Anyone wishes to report a crime should continue to call 01926 415 000. In an emergency, if you are witnessing a crime in progress, call 999.

Russell Brian

Oxhill Artists

The group continues to flourish, meeting now on Wednesday mornings in the village hall from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.

We welcome all standards of artists from beginners to the more accomplished, and provide workshops, outside visits and develop techniques in working with various materials from Acrylics to Watercolour. It is all about the enjoyment of painting and getting together on an informal and social basis, meeting friends and even enjoying coffee and cake.

Anyone interested please phone Barbara Kenny on 01926 852413, or speak to Angela Emmerson in the village.

Upton's Gardens -

are full of the joys of Spring!

Upton’s gardens are springing into life with stunning displays of tulips. The spring bulbs are a welcome sight not only because of their bright and cheery colour after the dark days of winter but also because they’re bringing a touch of 1930s glamour back to the gardens.

We’re currently in the middle of a five-year project to restore the gardens’ planting style to how it was in the 1930s when Upton was the weekend country home of the oil millionaire Lord Bearsted. He and his wife hosted house parties at Upton for their wealthy friends.

Lady Bearsted was passionate about gardening and appointed Kitty Lloyd Jones, who was an influential plantswoman, to work with the Head Gardener Mr Tidman. They created the beautiful gardens that you can see today at Upton.

Tulip displays were a prominent feature of the gardens in spring. Mr. Tidman was instructed by Kitty Lloyd Jones to plant thousands of tulips on the terraces in order that the Bearsteds and their guests could enjoy wonderful spring garden displays.

After the Second World War, the house and gardens went into decline and the original planting style changed which wiped out the 1930s influence on the gardens. Upton’s Gardening team have read articles and letters and looked at numerous photographs to research how the gardens looked in the 1930s.

As part of the restoration project, the team have planted four thousand tulips on the terraces in order to return them to their 1930s splendour. The sweet scent and vibrant colour of different varieties of tulips complemented by spring bedding plants such as forget-me-nots make for an amazing display.

Discover more about the tulips and the 1930s Garden Restoration project on our new website “Local Voices” which is available at: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/uptonhouse.

Anna Lawrence, Upton House

Rural Cinema

at Kineton Sports and Social Club

Films for April

April 8th at 19:30 - Harry Potter : Deathly Hallows Part 1

April 22nd at 19:30 - The King's Speech

Tickets £3.50 and £3 for Concessions (U16 and Over 65)

All Welcome

Contact Roy Harris on 01926 642229 for more information

Stour Singers Concert

On Saturday May 14th, at 7.30. p.m. in St. Edmund's Church, Shipston-on-Stour, Stour Singers will perform Mendelssohn's "ELIJAH".

Tickets cost £12.50. and are available from Clarke Electricals in Shipston, and from choir members.

Yvonne Ridley (Deputy Choir Manager)

Accident and Medical Emergencies

Time is critical in medical emergencies and so in order to ensure we attend as quickly as possible

First Call - 999

Then Call

Ambulance Responders

Mick & Barbara Shepard

07977149317 Mobile / 01295680644 Home

3, The Leys, Oxhill, Warwick, CV350QX