Each time I travel down the lane it seems to get worse S.O.D.C. have now in their wisdom, designated the 17th 18th of March as "Clean Up South Oxon" days.

I would certainly help any one in the village with any problem but I certainly would not help clean up Brick Kiln Lane until the cause of the problem is solved.

I was sorry to hear this week that Gerry Heery has given up as caretaker of the Village Hall, however, when I paid him a visit recently, I was amazed how well he looked and what a fantastic recovery he seems to have made, and I hope he continues to do so.

The new caretaker will be Mr. Strange from Littlemore.

On March 26th at 8. p.m. the Annual General Meeting of the Village Hall Committee will take place, every one will be most welcome.

Hazel Hutton.

The Parish Council were glad to have eight members of the public at this meeting and hope to see even more at the Annual Parish Meeting which will be in the Village Hall on April 9th at 8 p.m. We were also glad to welcome Mrs. Nikki King our representative on S.O.D.C. The following matters were discussed:-

BUS TOKENS.

In answer to a request the Council decided to pay for a further 4 tokens per head for the Old Age Pensioners to help offset rising costs of fares.

RUBBISH.

We were glad to hear from S.O.D.C. that we shall have 4 skips provided in the year for the village, instead of 2 which we had last year. When we know the dates of their arrival we will arrange for a fair distribution round the village. S.O.D.C. has designated 17th/18th March as Clean up South Oxon weekend. 100 litter bags will be available from Mrs. Heery, and it is hoped that as many people as possible will help clear the area near their house. A special collection of the bags will then be arranged. They should be left either at the corner by the telephone box outside Mrs. Heerys house, or at the end of River View. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ALL BAGS ARE WELL CLOSED.

TEN ACRE SITE.

There have been more fires lighted on the site, one of which blew black smoke right over the adjoining site. The culprit had been reported to S.O.D.C. for infringing regulations for the site. He would be cautioned, and if the offence was repeated, removed from the site. Further complaints about the site were noted by Mrs. King, who was to have a meeting with the officials concerned next day.

VILLAGE APPRAISAL.

More than 60 replies had been received to the questionnaire and many useful suggestions and criticisms were included. The Council intends to publish in due course, and will act on as many of the suggestions as possible.

Several residents at the parish council meeting raised the matter of cars parked half on pavements obstructing the way for pedestrians. Would car owners please park their cars on the street not the pavement. It is extremely inconvenient and somewhat dangerous, particularly for elderly at night.

The Henley Road was then a turning off this village road - this is confirmed by a traveller in 1732, who says 'at Sandford where the road turns off to Nuneham'. In 1736 an Act was passed to create a turnpike - 'for repairing the roads leading from Henley Bridge to Dorchester Bridge, and from there to Culham Bridge and to a milestone in the road leading to Magdalen Bridge.

The Oxford and Henley Turnpike Trust erected a toll-gate and toll-house on the bridge at Sandford, this being the second toll-gate was known as Sandford Gate, but really situated in Littlemore Parish, it was let previous to Sept.1837 for £650. In contrast Culham Gate was let for £510, proving our Gate was good investment: The last Gatekeeper appears to have been William Beckley. All tolls were abolished in 1868 and the Gate removed, but the Little Toll-house remained on the bridge until 1921.

This old road had been quite steep and difficult to negotiate with horse traffic, and remained so into the days of the steam engine, the road surface often being bad due to springs of water which broke through. It is good to remember that along this old road in 1828 sped the 'Alert' and 'Rocket' Stage Coaches on their 57 mile journey to London, through Benson and Henley.

[Kingcup - more info]

It has now been decided to hold another 50/50 Auction on Sunday March 11th 1984, commencing at 2.00 p.m. Viewing will be from 12.00 noon - 1.30 p.m. on the day of the Auction.

We therefore invite all our old friends to come along and anyone who has not yet been to one of our Auctions will be made most welcome.

At the Auction you will find furniture, household items, memorabilia, and objets d'art and many other items, all at knock-down prices.

The Auction is in aid of the Village Hall Fund.

All enquiries regarding the 50/50 Auction to Mrs. Hazel Hutton, of Harromist Kennels, Kiln park, Sandford on Thames, Oxford. Telephone OXFORD 779767.

Or Contact: Mrs. Crawford of 4 Main Avenue, Sandford on Thames, Oxford Telephone OXFORD 777850.

ANY ITEMS YOU MAY WISH TO ENTER INFO THIS SALE CONTACT THE ABOVE PERSONS WHERE COLLECTION TRANSPORT CAN BE ARRANGED.

WEEKLY EVENTS:

TUESDAY :	Keep Fit Classes - 8 pm.
WEDNESDAY :	Youth Club 7 - 12 yrs. 7 pm - 9 pm.
	13 yrs Upwards 8.30 pm - 10 pm.
THURSDAY :	Bingo - 8 pm.

FORTNIGHTLY EVENTS:
Forget-Me-Nots every alternate Tuesday 2.30 pm. The next get togethers are are on 6th March and 20th March and 3rd April.

A Mobile Library will be calling at Sandford on alternate Mondays, stopping outside The Fox Public House at 2.30 pm. Their next visits are on Monday 5th March and 19th March also 2nd April.

MONTHLY:
Mr. Bentley will be at the Village Hall, as usual, on the first Wednesday of each month to provide a gentlemens hairdressing service, from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

1. This is an ordnance bench mark used by surveyors in the preparation of maps. The bench mark in the sketch is to be found on the S.E. corner of Bassimore Cottage in Church Road. The centre line of the bar above the arrow indicates a height of 190.715 feet above mean sea level at Newlyn, Cornwall.

There is a total of ten bench marks in Sandford at the following locations.

a) Right hand bank downstream of the lock 178.93ft A.O.D.
b) S.E. corner of the old coach house at the Kings Arms P.H. 179.888ft
c) N.W. corner of Church Tower - 206.824 ft A.O.D.
d) S.W. corner of Church porch - 205.168 ft A.O.D.
e) W. Corner of house at 71 Henley Road - 217.52 ft. A.O.D.
f) S.E. corner of house at 97 Henley Road - 219.685 ft. A.O.D.
g) E. Wall of brickworks near Kiln Park - 228.478 ft. A.O.D.
h) W. Wall of Minchery Farm Country Club - 198.880 ft. A.O.D.
i) Bridge parapet junction of Northfield - 196.490 ft. A.O.D.
(A.O.D. above ordinance Datum, Newlyn.)