Copy for the September edition should be given to Mr. George Adams at "Karibu", Main Street, tel: 680286 by Wednesday, 27th August please.

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 mestuff that way.

This edition was edited by George Adams.

It happened in August

August 1^st, Lammas Day, is a quarter day inScotland.

The August Bank Holiday is the last Monday in August, this year the 25^th. The Scots, never liking to do anything the English do, stick to the first Monday, the 4^th.

The Princes in the Tower disappeared in August 1483. They may have been murdered on the orders of Richard III. Or they could have been abducted by aliens.

The St Bartholomew’s Day Massacre began on 24 August 1572, in Paris as the Huguenots were slaughtered by the orders of Charles IX of France under the influence of his mother, Catherine de’ Medici.

The Battle of Blenheim was fought on13^thAugust 1704.

The Battle of Bosworth Field was fought on22^ndAugust 1485. Henry Tudor defeated Richard III. Served him right for killing the Princes in the Tower. Or possibly for allowing them to be abducted by aliens.

The Battle of Crécy was fought on26^thAugust 1346

Hiroshimawas largely destroyed on6^thAugust 1945by the first atomic bomb to be used in warfare.

Nagasakiwas largely destroyed on6^thAugust 1945by an atomic bomb.

TheBattleof theNilewas fought on1^stAugust 1798.

And they call August a slow news month.

Editor

Nature Notes

August is the month of harvest, named in honour of the deified Roman emperor Augustus.

1 August is Lammas Day – Lammas or ‘loaf-mass’ being the festival of harvest’s beginning when the first cut sheaf or corn, or bread made from it, was blessed and offered in churches. Lammas Lands used for growing early crops or hay were then thrown open for common grazing until the next Spring.

Now that the hay has been cut, I have been walking early in the morning in the long meadow that lies behind the church that has a footpath that runs to Tysoe – an excellent field for spotting all sorts of wildlife. A few minutes after entering the field across the footbridge, my attention was drawn to a large female Fallow deer, a doe, running away from me across the adjacent stubble, and when I turned the slight corner I saw ahead of me another doe and her young fawn. She jumped the hedge in a single leap and was away, but unfortunately the fawn was unable to do the same and started running up and down bleating. At this point I quickly retraced my footsteps and on reaching the cover of the bridge I looked back and saw one of the does has stopped and was looking back, so I was confident that both would soon be reunited.

I have now seen Muntjac, Fallow and Roe deer in or around this field on several occasions. The Muntjac originated from the forests of south-east Asia and was introduced to Woburn in 1894. They started escaping and by the 1920s were starting to be seen in the wild. They are the smallest of the deer standing no more than 20 inches high. The Fallow was probably introduced by either the Romans or the Normans, opinion favouring the Normans. The name ‘fallow’ means ‘pale-coloured’ and was first used in the fifteenth century. They stand between three and four feet at the shoulder.

The Roe deer is a native of Britain, the male being a buck (note: ‘stag’ applies only to Red deer) and the female a doe and the young are kids. This reddish brown deer stands about 27 inches at the shoulder and is noticeable by its very large ears, with the male having very small antlers. Ten to fifteen years ago Roe were not seen in the Midlands, but like the others, they are now spreading. Unlike Fallow which tends to be a herding deer, Roe are more solitary and are often seen in pairs. Roe is considered to produce the finest venison.

Talking of food, did you know that August 10 is St Lawrence’s Day: the cooks’ festival and the saint of our own church. St Lawrence was a Spanish deacon, supposedly martyred at Rome in 258 AD by being roasted on a grid-iron. He is thus the patron saint of confectioners, bakers and cooks. He was said to be a “round jolly fellow” and during his torture allegedly said “Turn me over, I am done this side”!!

Note to David Knight: maybe I could do a fresco of St Lawrence being griddled on one of the church walls, or perhaps Oxhill should have a food festival in celebration – that would be in better taste!

Grenville Moore

Church Service Times

Church ofSt. Lawrence, Oxhill

Sunday, August 3^rd Trinity VII 9.30 Holy Communion

Sunday, August 10^th Feast of St. Lawrence 9.30 Holy Communion

Sunday, August 17^th Blessed Virgin Mary 6.30 Evensong

Sunday, August 24^th Feast of St. Bartholomew 9.30 Holy Communion

Sunday, August 31^stTrinity XI 10.30 United Service in Oxhill

Oxhill Methodist Church

The Kineton Methodist Circuit agreed to the closure of Oxhill Methodist Church at the end of June, 2003.

Concerning the population data in last month’s News

Dear George,

I've no idea how the article reached you for the Oxhill News. It was originally used in a sermon but I had a number of requests for copies, so I put it on the Oxhill website. Perhaps it reached you from there? The figures are all arguable and reasonable - development charities put energy into turning dull global reports into more interesting formats. One famous example comes the mid 1980's when it was pointed out (I think by Oxfam) that theUSAand theUKspend more on slimming aids than overseas aid.

Your second editorial point is interesting because, as a matter of fact, a large number of people do argue with the sentiments of the last five paragraphs in the sense that they do little to help change the situation!

The point of a sermon, as well as figures like this, is not to provide mild entertainment but to encourage action. I hope that people will do more than 'not argue' with the last five paragraphs - I hope they'll put their money, their voice and vote behind doing something about it.

Best wishes,

David Knight

Thank you

Jane and Grenville Moore would like to thank all their friends and neighbours for their support and kind letters of condolence on the death of Jane's father, Jim Barr. Special thanks to David Knight for his moving and uplifting service. Jim always loved Oxhill and had made many friends here.

Festival Choir

Harvest Festival - Sunday 21^stSeptember at 6.30 p.m.

The Choir will be singing next at the Oxhill Harvest Festival, which will take place in St. Lawrence Church at 6.30 p.m. on Sunday 21^stSeptember.

As last year it will take the form of Harvest Songs of Praise; quite a splendid event!

Because it is so early this year, rehearsals will start on Friday 29^thAugust, and then continue on Friday 5^th, 12^thand 19^thSeptember at 7.30 p.m., at the Old House as usual. There is a possibility of the last one being in church.

We look forward to seeing everyone there, fully refreshed after the summer.

Jill Tucker, 680663

Tysoe W.I.

I don’t think my words can justify the programme that Mr. Porter put to us in July. It was entitled ‘Landscapes of English Music’, and the music was that of composers local to Worcestershire,Herefordand Gloucestershire, such as Vaughn Williams, Walton, Elgar and Finzi. He combined this with breathtaking slides of the relevant countryside in its several seasons. Tim Porter told us that this hobby of his had taken four years to put together.

We had a wonderful day atHamptonCourtGardens, and only hope that whoever buys the property, for a mere £10 million asking price, will keep it going.

August sees us having lunch at and a look round the Herb Centre. In the meantime I hope everyone enjoys good weather at their holiday destinations before we meet again in Tysoe Village Hall on Wednesday 3^rdSeptember. Remember that visitors are always welcome.

Philippa Robinson

Editorial

The deadline for the September issue is Wednesday, 27^thAugust.

The cover picture this month continues our series of well-known views of Oxhill, so obviously I don’t need to tell you where it is.

I will try, in future, to make requests for next month’s issue refer to next month’s issue rather than the current month’s issue.

George Adams

Notes of the Oxhill Parish Council Meeting

Tuesday 8th July 2003 at8.00pm in theVillage Hall

Apologies were received from Stephen Hackett and Brian Emmerson. All other Councillors were present.

Matters Discussed

Traffic Speed

Community Beat Officer, PC Dale Parker informed the PC Chairman that all matters relating to vehicles speeding should be reported to the Shipston-on-Stour Policy Station and any information received would be treated in the strictest confidence and acted upon.

Finance

The Annual Financial Return for the year 2002/2003 was signed by the Chairman and the Internal Audit had been completed satisfactorily by John McKail.

A request for support from the Warwickshire and Northampton Air Ambulance had been received. A £35 donation would be sent.

Planning

No objection was raised to single storey front extension and pre-cast garage at 3 The Leys.

No objection other than concern about vehicle access was returned for change of use from agricultural land to commercial use, retention of hard standing and erection of new storage unit at Wixey Transport.

Warwickshire County Council Emergency Plan

This would be updated to include our two Motor Sport Medics, Barbara Peach and Mike Shepard.

Pension Service – Shipston

A new pension information service is available at the Shipston Benefits Office,44 Telegraph Street, each Monday between 9.30 and11.30 a.m.

Road Repairs

The Highway Department would be contacted with regard to the poor state of theWhatcote Roadand in particular the sharp drop along the edge of the road across from the lay-by.

Item from Gilliam Roache, Ward Member - New Housing Options Project Launch

Care and RepairEnglandhas recently set up five pilot schemes nationwide to offer Housing Option advice and support to older people. Age Concern Warwickshire are running two of the pilot schemes. The target groups are older home owners and tenants living in the privately rented sector who may be considering moving to alternative accommodation. For those who wish to move, information on housing options in their area is available and, if required, assistance to co-ordinate the practical aspects of moving. Clients who would prefer to remain in their existing home can be offered advice and information on possible sources of funding which might help them to improve, repair or adapt their home. The purpose of the new scheme is to offer practical impartial and independent advice to clients to enable them to reach an informed decision on whether to stay or go.

Date of next meeting

Tuesday 9^thSeptember 2003at8.00 p.m.in the Village Hall.

Angela Kean, Clerk

Shipston Home Nursing Events

The Ilmington Fete will be held on Monday 25^thAugust on the Ilmington playing fields, starting at 1.00 p.m. and running until 5.00 p.m.

It is in aid of local charities, and Shipston Home Nursing will have a jousting machine on which you can try your expertise.

There will be a bridge afternoon in aid of Shipston Home Nursing at the North Cotswold Bridge Club, The Old School, Bourton on the Hill, on Tuesday 9^thSeptember, starting at 1.45 p.m. (play to start at 2.00 p.m. prompt).

The entry fee is £5 per head, with pre-entry preferred. If you have no partner, one can be arranged.

Contact: Alan Lamb on 01386 701603 or 07946 253203 or

Maki Sutton on 01608 661539

Rebecca Mawle

Whatcote Sale and Teas

Table Top Saleand Teas on the Green, on Bank Holiday Monday, August 25^th from 2.30pm , on the Village Green, (opposite the Royal Oak).

All proceeds to St. Peter’s Church Repairs & Alterations.

Sue Price

Yet more on Broadband

Register you interest in Broadband internet access at www.bt.com .

Following the discussion in previous editions of the News, I have both visited the BT website and talked to the BT phone helpline.

Broadly, the website suggests that the chance of broadband reaching the Tysoe exchange is very slim! The phone line suggests using Home Highway which, in theory at least, provides 128kb access provided no one in the house is using the phone at the same time. Including the BT version of 24/7 internet access (approx 150 hours per month), this costs in the region of £35 per month – about £10 more than I, at least, currently pay for the same access at a nominal 56kb rate (which in my case seems to default most of the time to a true rate of about 28kb).

As the website had no details for Tysoe exchange, I emailed the boss man at midlands BT. He, naturally, handed the response over to his manager, who (very quickly – I was impressed) sent me the following response.

Dear Mr Adams

You recently dropped an e-mail to my colleague, Frank Mills, concerning the provision of Broadband at Tysoe. Frank has asked me to reply on his behalf.

At present, Tysoe has some 43 'pre-registrations' from customers showing an interest in the Broadband service. Currently, no trigger level is set for this exchange. To set a trigger level BT has to assess every exchange individually, as each one has different individual characteristics such as distance from our core network, space within the exchange, ventilation and air-conditioning etc. This means that the investment criteria varies from case to case and each exchange is evaluated on its own merits and cannot be compared to other towns or villages of similar size. Our current policy on registration has been developed to ensure we focus our investment in those areas which have sufficient early demand to justify it. It is worth noting that the trigger level we set is only a proportion of the total number of users we require to take-up ADSL in order for us to receive a positive return on our investment.

It is also worth noting that our commercial model is constantly under evaluation as technology develops and our experience with 'triggered' exchanges deepens. Thus, only last month, BT was able to announce an across the board reduction in trigger levels of 50 at every exchange where a trigger level has been set. The other main announcement last month was that during the summer, trigger levels would be set for almost all of our remaining exchanges bar a very few very difficult cases. I understand that this announcement is now imminent. I'm afraid that at the moment I have no real indication of whether Tysoe will have a trigger level set.

In order to assist communities achieve their trigger levels faster, BT has launched a champions campaign to encourage local people to get involved in stimulating demand. Called 'Get on and Get it', I have taken the liberty of enclosing a very short briefing document that helps to explain the campaign. You may wish to consider its' application within your community. I'd be happy to help start you off in the right direction.

I hope I have answered your question. However, please feel free to contact me if you wish to discuss further.

Regards, Ian Binks, Regional Manager, West Midlands, BT Retail,

His response to my request for permission to print his letter (I am getting more careful about this sort of thing, David), was as follows:

George, (may I address you as George??)

I am glad that my reply was useful, even though probably not the answer you were hoping for!!

By all means, please publish the text in your village newspaper - it will save me having to write the same answer to the question 160 times! We do indeed understand the frustration felt by smaller communities over the situation with Broadband - indeed the argument for any community to need broadband is equally as compelling, the difficulty arises when the commercial models are applied to any given situation.

If you need any further help, please feel free to keep in contact.

Regards, Ian Binks, 0121 230 2950

Mr. Binks sent me a copy of the BT ‘Get on and Get it’ handout, which aims at giving help to local campaigns to get broadband. I can send this to anyone who wants it. If we start such a campaign here, we would certainly need to cover the whole of the Tysoe exchange and not just Oxhill.

George Adams , 680286

Register you interest in Broadband internet access at www.bt.com.

London Marathon

Parkinson’s Disease Society

ABIGthank you to all the kind and generous people who supported me in April.

I have managed to reach my target of £1500, which is being sent to the Parkinson’s Disease Society.

May I, on their behalf, pass on thanks to all the supporters for their generosity.

Tony Wilde

Village Hall News

We have received £2,500 from the District Council. The balance will be paid on completion of the new windows planned for the village hall. The church has also donated £300 for use of the village hall and equipment hire. We are very grateful.

Forthcoming events include:

Village Hall Quiz Night on Friday 1^st August at 8pm

Tickets: £3.00 each or £10.00 for a table of 4

Refreshments & snacks available

To book, call Lisa on 680967 or Keith on 680654

A disco for the younger members of the community has been organised for Friday 19^th September 2003 – details to follow

Please note lettings/hiring of equipment has been transferred to Ray & Linda Dagg on 680850.

There were also some amendments to the previous committee list, see below:-

Committee List 2003

Ray Dagg - Chairman/Lettings 2 The Sett, Oxhill 680850
Linda Dagg - Secretary/Lettings As above
Ian Brodderick – Treasurer Kisdon, Main St. Oxhill 688167
Lisa Roebuck – Events Barnside, Main St. Oxhill 680967
Elin Montague The Granary, Rouse Lane, Oxhill 680681
David Knight – Advisor The Vicarage, Tysoe 680201
Keith Seabridge April Corner, Rouse Lane, Oxhill 68065
Julie Seabridge As above
Sarah Hobill Hogwood Farm, Oxhill 01926 640345
Tracey Hackett The Malt House, Back Lane, Oxhill 680268

Youth Advisors

Rhiainon Hackett – As above
Marcus Robertson Hawthorns, Whatcote Rd, Oxhill 680408

Village Hall - Youth Advisors Report

Following lobbying by your youth advisors, the Village Hall Committee has approved the purchase of goalposts for use on the village hall green. If anyone has any specific requirements or advice, please feel free to contact us.

The village quiz night on 1^stAugust will contain questions for old and young alike, so children are encouraged to come along and join in with their parents.

Rhiannon Hackett & Marcus Robertson

25 Years Ago

The telephone lines in the village were causing even more problems than they are now, and readers were asked to log all calls, incoming and outgoing, to help the Post Office (remember – they used to run the phone system too) sort out the problem. The Village Fete Committee distributed their profit from the Fete, Dance and Silver Jubilee celebrations, and the Women’s Circle raised money to help repair the Methodist Chapel roof. The sponsored walk had raised £160, with Pat Caldicott garnering one third of the total on her own.

The Youth Club continued to be highly active, and Wendy Blunt reported on the activities of the Sunday School. The W.I. had been addressed by Ian Thomas, at that time dressmaker to the Queen, and Mrs. Rodwell asked for volunteers to help at the Town and Country Fair at Stoneleigh.

Finally, there was a plea for a window cleaner to do the rounds of Oxhill. 25 Years on, is there a decent window cleaner doing the rounds of Oxhill? And if so, would someone please tell me who he is?

George Adams

Summer Garden Party

There will be a Summer Garden Party in the garden of the Old House on Wednesday 13^thAugust at 2.30 p.m.

Tea, cakes, sandwiches and Pimms will be available as ever, plus garden games for the young, and the young at heart.

Admission will be:

£2 for adults

£1 for children at school

Free for pre-school children

Everyone is most welcome.

Jill Tucker, 680663