Local historians have in fact, known for some time about the existence of a number of golden coins hidden somewhere in the area, but until recently the exact whereabouts remained a mystery. Now however, that is about to change with the discovery by a Sandford inhabitant of several clues to the precise location.

The coins are thought to be contained in a leather bag and a proposal to recruit villagers to join the search is being put into force. An organised Treasure-hunt will be taking place on Saturday 8th September, 1984, and all members of the community are invited to participate in what must be one of the most exciting events to occur in Sandford for some time.

Volunteers will also be required to serve refreshments in their gardens, after all, pursuing riches can be extremely thirsty work at times!

Many prominent local figures are planning to be present at the hunt including Miss Elizabeth Burra, Chairman of the Parish Council. Mrs. Hazel Hutton and Mr. Mike Norton.

Fun for everyone, with skittles, aunt sally, cakes, teas, jumble, plants and a treasure hunt.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO COME AND JOIN IN THE FUN.

SEE YOU THERE!

In the eighteen seventies and eighties, during the construction of the sewage farm, much Romano-British pottery was found, together with the kilns to the extent that the field in which they were found was renamed 'Pottery Piece', although pieces of Roman pottery can still be picked up all over the Parish.

Brickworks are known to have existed from at least two sites dating from the early nineteenth century. However, the major exploitation of the clay began in 1897 when Mr. Benfield bought Sandford Farm, (now called Rock Farm).

Mr. Benfield and his partner Mr. Loxley, being in the building trade, it was a logical progression that they would want to make their own bricks from the land in their possession. Building of their new brickworks began in late 1898. The bricks for the construction of kilns and buildings were obtained from Chawley brickworks near Cumnor owned by Lord Abingdon. A few other bricks were brought from Brill brickworks particularly those used in the building of the still existing engine-house chimney.

The kilns and machinery were of the latest pattern, the bricks were dried by hot air instead of the usual practice of stacking outside to dry.

As the clay used was heavy, sand from a sandpit on the north side was used to lighten it. A continuous tramway ran down to both sand and clay pits which lay to the south. Brickmaking ceased in 1914, the engines going on to war service. The kiln chimney which was 126 ft high and a big feature on the skyline was felled during the 1920's.

In retrospect, it was probably for the best that brickmaking ceased when it did. If expansion had gone on, which was proposed, aerial rope-ways would have been carrying clay from all parts of the Parish,

If you are interested in this trip and would like more details, please contact me at 20 Kiln Close or telephone me on OXFORD 717936 (evenings).

JANET SHEPHERD.

I would like to point out that South Oxfordshire District Council were not willing to meet with the Action Committee, but three of the four people who make up the Action Committee are members of Sandford Parish Council.

The meeting commenced at 6 pm with several officers of South Oxfordshire District Council including housing Officers, Treasurer, Environmental Officer, Chairman of Finance and Mrs. Nikki King, plus 5 members of Sandford Parish Council.

It came to light that Rules and Regulations do exist for the running of Ten Acres, but due to the fact that they have not been issued, the warden has bad nothing to work by. It was made very clear to South Oxfordshire District Council that had these Rules and Regulations been distributed to all occupants of Ten Acres, and the Warden, and had they been adhered to then the complaints we have made would not have arisen. Mr. Clayphan the Chief Housing Officer, said that on studying the present Rules and Regulations it was decided that they were outdated and, therefore, are in the process of being rewritten.

We also made it very clear that we are adamant that the Warden's caravan must be situated at the front of the site.

Mr. Cadman, the Treasurer, advised us that court action against the non-rate payers had been made for Thursday 19th July, 1984, but he had them deferred until the outcome of this meeting was known.

Mrs. Hutton and myself made our feelings very clear, particularly on two very crucial points:

1. Rules and Regulations must be issued and explained to all occupants of Ten Acres, including the warden.

2. The warden's caravan must be placed at the front of Ten Acres.

On reading this progress report I hope you are all in agreement with Mrs. Hutton and my own recommendations. Should you wish to discuss the matter further please contact either myself, Mrs. Hutton, Mr. Boyd, or Mr. Norton.

Janet Shepherd.

Serves 4.

Ingredients:-

75g/3oz green pepper (core and seeds removed) optional. Salt and Pepper. 50g/2oz butter. 450g/1lb potatoes (peeled & diced). 225g/8oz onions (diced). 4 x size 3 eggs. 4 tablespoons milk. 100g/4oz Cheddar cheese (grated). Parsley (Chopped).

Method:-

1. Chop green pepper into small pieces and cook for 5 mins in boiling salted water. Drain. 2. Melt the butter in a large frying pan. Add the diced potatoes and onions and cook very slowly, turning them from time to time until almost cooked through. 3. Beat the eggs, milk and pepper together with a fork. 4. Raise the heat under the frying pan, add the green pepper and continue cooking until the vegetables are starting to brown. 5. Pour the omelette mixture over the vegetables, stirring once or twice to allow it to spread evenly. Leave pan until omelette starts to set and the underside is turning golden. 6. Preheat the grill. 7. Scatter grated cheese over the omelette and pop the pan under the grill until the cheese is bubbling and turning golden brown. 8. Sprinkle the top of the omelette with parsley, cut it into wedges and serve straight from the pan.

A delicious and surprisingly filling lunch or supper. Almost any vegetable can be diced and cooked (Stage 2). For a change try adding a mixture of chopped bacon, sweetcorn and carrots.

Serves 6.

Ingredients:-

1 Jamaican ginger cake. 325q/11oz can mandarin oranges. 150ml/5floz fresh double cream. 1 orange (grated rind).

Method:-

1. Slice the ginger cake in half lengthways and place one half on a serving dish. 2. Drain mandarins and use some of the juice to pour over each piece of cake. Reserve about a third of the mandarins to decorate the gateau and chop the rest. 3. Place the cream in a bowl with 1 tablespoon mandarin orange juice and orange rind. Whip until thick and place half in a piping bag. 4. Add the chopped mandarins to the remainder of the cream and use to sandwich the cake together. 5. Decorate the gateau with cream in a piping bag and whole mandarins. Chill slightly before serving.

Very effective and so quick and simple to make. For really special occasions pour a little liqueur over the cake before assembling. Any plain sponge cake can be used to make a quick gateau using fresh cream and a favourite fruit.


CHESTNUT DESSERT.

Serves 4.

Ingredients:-	150ml/5fl oz fresh double cream. 2 tablespoons milk. 225g/8oz sweetened chestnut puree. 75ml/2½ fl oz fresh single cream.
Method:-	1. Whip double cream and milk together until it starts to thicken. 2. Gradually fold into chestnut puree. Pile of Pipe into individual dishes and chill in refrigerator Before serving pour a little fresh cream over each dessert.

IF YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE RECIPE THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OTHERS TO TRY PLEASE WRITE THE RECIPE ON A CARD WITH THE METHOD AND GIVE IT TO MR. BOYD TO PUBLISH IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE SANDFORD LINK.

The Parish Council discussed provision of more play equipment for older children in the Recreation Ground. This is being planned, and we hope to provide it soon, with the help of some volunteer labour.

Smurfitt Ltd. has given the Parish Council two small pieces of land at the bottom of Church Road. It was agreed that the residents of Riverview should have the opportunity to plan the use of the small area below their gardens as a play area for the children living there. The old Wharf Site on the other side of the road has long been any eyesore, and we welcome the chance to improve it. Please give any suggestions you have for its use to a member of the Parish Council or Mrs. Heery.

As the Parish Council does not meet in August, the next meeting is on 10th September, when we hope to discuss lighting improvements.

ELIZABETH BURRA.

Further to Housing Committee Minute 1983/84, the Chairman reported a letter from Mr Boyd, acting as spokesman for Local residents, outlining various complaints about the gypsy site and making demands which, if not met, would result in a protest at the July meeting of Council, and the withholding of rates by local residents.

Mrs. King explained the local point of view, especially that it appeared the residents of the adjoining Kiln Park Caravan Site that negotiations with the Thames Water Authority and Magdalene College for improvements were proceeding very slowly and the Council was not managing the site as well as it could.

The chief Housing Officer advised that there had been originally 16 caravans parked illegally on the verges joining the site, but following the tragic death of a child of three arising from being knocked down by one the illegal parkers, there had been an: increased police presence leading to a cessation of illegal parkers and the absence of complaints for about ten days. He explained the problems that had arisen from the eviction of a trespasser on the site which had resulted in the caravan of the resident warden, who was in the process of moving on to the site, being damaged beyond repair. The resident warden was now living in the site office.

The Chief Housing Officer considered each of the criticisms in Mr Boyd's letter and answered the points made. He suggested that the tenancy conditions, which had been agreed with the Oxfordshire County Council at the time the site had been established, should now be the subject of review. He emphasised that this was a site for working gypsies where they were permitted to carry on their trade or business. The Council was taking, or had taken action against trespassers on the site and also against residents who were in breach of the tenancy conditions.

The Chief of Housing Officer further advised that the Thames Water Authority had agreed that the verges could be planted with trees in concrete rings to prevent the illegal parking, and the Oxfordshire County Council had given permission for this work to be undertaken.

The Treasurer advised that local residents were withholding payment of rates but he had a duty to collect rates and the residents actions did not represent a valid defence against the issue of a distress warrant. Final notices had been sent and he would take action in the Magistrates Court in the near future. He had explained his action to the Parish Council and those residents who had written to him to complain about the gypsy site.

The meeting agreed that the Council should demonstrate to residents of Kiln Park, the Parish Council and others that it was taking action to improve the situation, and a meeting would be held with the interested parties if this was considered necessary.

Editor Mr. L.N. Boyd 18 Main Avenue, Sandford-on-Thames, Oxford OX4 4YT.
Tel: 716537 (Evenings only)
Tel: 725070 (day-time only)
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