In this months Link you will find some notes from our new Community Police Officer, Carl Reynolds. In it he tells us about himself and mentions that he has two children, he did not mention however that one is a new baby. We send our best wishes to him and his wife on the birth of their baby.



Gypsies.

There are a number of itinerant vans and lorries parked in Magdalen College Sports Ground. The people who are to blame for this situation arising again in Sandford are Colonel Frith and his staff. I personally have rung him and advised him that by leaving the gate open he was inviting the situation, the field is also starting to be used for touring caravans belonging to his own staff.

It is obvious that when gypsies see caravans and an open gate they will not miss the opportunity to park.

A lot of time has been spent by a number of people in this village, Councillor Nikki King and the Water Board in trying to relieve the situation of itinerant gypsies. We then get an agent from Magdalen College who doesn't give a damn about the village and our environment, reversing the whole situation.



Recreation Field.

There have been a number of mindless attacks on mature trees in the village Recreation Ground, some morons have stripped the bark off tress in the grounds. Bob Crickmay rendered first aid to the trees and it is hoped he has been able to save them.

If anyone sees this kind of vandalism report it straight away.

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        There have been a number of comments in the press critical of the new telephone system now installed throughout the Thames Valley Police area. There is no doubt that some members of the public have experienced difficulties in contacting their local police station and we think it proper that the purpose of the whole system be explained.

        Before the installation of the new system, we in the Thames Valley had been experiencing a lot of problems with the existing telephone network. In view of this we took advantage of a consultancy service who conducted a very detailed examination of the system in use at that time. The consultants recommended a replacement system and on the basis of that recommendation a new system was designed and installed during 1985 and the early part of this year.

        The first point that must be emphasised is that the installation of the new telephone system is just the first step in an overall programme designed to improve communications within the Thames Valley. Being the first step in a very large programme the telephone system does not represent the complete answer. The overall scheme is called 'Command and Control which will result in there being only one switchboard and control room serving each police division. The whole project will not be completed until about 1990.

        'Command and Control' is a term which describes the system whereby a police control centre receives a request for police attendance e.g. from a member of the public. This single centre will eventually have a computerised system from which the controller can determine the nearest appropriate resource and the quickest and most efficient way of dealing with the request.

        In other words, whenever someone wants a police officer and they telephone the police station, their call

        There is no doubt that a lot of people were confused when they telephoned their local police station to hear a recorded announcement telling them to ring another number. These recorded messages are now being replaced and the call will automatically be redirected to the new number. It does mean that callers will not necessarily be talking to their local police station in the first instance. However, operators have been trained to find out the reason for each call and transfer them to the appropriate police station or department.

        This may seem very odd to some people but, as with any other major scheme, something has to come first and as a matter of necessity, the telephone had to be our first priority.

        We hope this has gone some way towards explaining the need for a change in the telephone system and assure everyone that it is not merely change for changes sake. We also hope that the attached map together with a list of telephone numbers giving the correct contact number for every police station will help.

        Finally, it must be remembered that the emergency '999' system remains unchanged and if anyone requires the police urgently then that is the quickest means of contacting us.



Sandford Link.

I would like to thank all the advertisers in the Sandford Link who have supported the Link for the last 12 months, but for their help there would be no Sandford Link. It receives no subsidy from any organisation including the Parish Council and the District Council. Once again thank you very much advertisers.

The rubbish collectors will now take your garden rubbish ON CONDITION it is put into green plastic bags. For further information please ring the Parish Clerk Mrs Heery.



Youth Club.

The Youth Club have started meeting again every Wednesday between 7.30 p.m. and 9.00 p.m. in the Village Hall.



Bonfire.

On Saturday November 1st we will have a bonfire and fireworks starting at 7.30 p.m. in the grounds of the Village Hall. Hotdogs and refreshments will be on sale. Donations of money or fireworks will be gratefully received. Contributions can either be sent to myself 18 Main Avenue or Mrs Marjorie Harris 24 Henley Avenue.



Police Telephones.

At the beginning of October I had two telephone calls to make one was to Hong Kong the other, was to just a mile down the road from my office, St.Aldates Police Station. The Hong Kong number I had to go through the operator within 30 seconds of picking up the hone I was speaking to the person in Hong Kong. My next call I was to the police station it took 3 minutes for them to answer, 6 minutes later I put the phone down in disgust as no one had answered any of the extensions.

This system is just not good enough. Should anyone have the misfortune to ring this new system, I suggest they time their calls and if they consider their time waiting on the phone excessive they write to Mr. Colin Smith, the Chief Constable Kidlington and complain.

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        The Parish Council met on the 22nd September and Mrs. King, our Parish Councillor was there and also Mr. Julian May, the Planning Officer for this area came to the Meeting in order to discuss the present Planning situation about Templars Court.

        He explained that there are effectively three areas at Templars Court on all of which caravans can be situated. One area is the former Cricket Ground and this can be used for caravan rallies at any time and access is from Church Road. There is another area that Planning Permission for thirty-two pitches which has had Planning Permission for some time. The latest Planning Permission is for a further fifty-eight pitches but this cannot be brought into use until improvements to the Henley Road access are made. There was a general discussion about when the new access would be formed.

        The Clerk reported that seed for the Old Wharf Site had been purchased and Mr Smith had rolled the area and sown the seed.

        Flooding under the bridge : Although the gully had been cleared only two days previously, extensive flooding had occurred. This causes a lot of difficulty using the road. No decision was made on what to do to alleviate the problem.

        The recent Planning Application for a site adjoining Frys Barn was discussed. Because of the short length of time allowed for comments from the Parish Council, it was decided that future Applications should be left with one Member of the Council and all other Members would go to that persons house to see it.

        Parishioners are reminded that any problem with street lighting should be reported to the Clerk, Mrs. Heery, who will contact the S.E.B.

Is a question I have asked many people who I have spoken to since the beginning of August when I took over the job of Community Beat Officer for Littlemore and Sandford. Some paused for thought, searching for: that one problem that at that moment eluded them. Some hesitated, suspecting a catch (looking for the book of raffle tickets) but even so, everyone I spoke to said one thing in common, "TO SEE YOU ABOUT".

I could not agree more and it is this aspect of my work that I intend to fulfil as much as possible.

This months article is more in the way of an introduction of myself to you. In future articles I intend to discuss various aspects of my work which involves the local community and the Police. Through the article I hope to point out areas in which you can help yourself against becoming a victim of crime and discuss aspects of daily life which may put you at risk with crime and the law.

To introduce myself:

My name is Carl Reynolds. I have been a Police Constable for 5 years, prior to which I served for 10 years with the R.A.F. I am 32 years old and married with two children. I have wanted to do this aspect of Police work since becoming a policeman and I am very pleased to have the opportunity to cover Littlemore and Sandford. I hope that I can provide for an aspect of policing which you will find useful and helpful.

If you need advice or help with any problems which may involve the Police you can contact me by ringing Oxford 249881 ex. 2513 between 9am and 4pm. Leave a message for me and I will contact you as soon as possible. Remember, in an Emergency dial 999.

I will be running a Surgery once a fortnight on Fridays between 4pm and 5 pm. This will be held at Littlemore Community Centre in Giles Road. During this time I will be available to answer any questions or give advise on any subject which may involve the police.

I have changed the times of this surgery to the new time above which I hope will be more suitable to many of you., deterred previously by the dark winter nights or just by the lateness of the hour (The previous time was 7pm to 8pm). I shall publish the dates of the surgeries at the end of each months article in this magazine.

I hope I will have the opportunity to meet and talk with many more of you in future months. Until then, as the nights draw in, Mum's and Dad's consider this rhyme:

Little Jimmy's dead and Gone
you wont be seeing him again,
Because what a car driver couldn't see,
was Jimmy, riding home in the rain.
BECAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY LIGHTS.

Dates for Octobers Surgeries:
October 3rd
October 17th       4pm to 5pm.
October 31st

Carl Reynolds.

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Letters to the Editor.

Dear Editor,

I would advise that someone has got their facts entirely wrong in regard to fencing in River View, I personally have permission to raise a temporary fence in regard to my childs safety, from Mr DR. Ayers of South Oxfordshire District Council, until such a time as residents build walls. Some residents would appreciate it if the Parish Council got the facts correct before making incorrect statements.

Mrs. Whelan,
4 River View,
Sandford-on-Thames.

Editors Notes.

This letter is in reply to a letter sent by the Parish Council to all River View residents.



Keep Fit.

If any of you ladies are interested in Keep Fit contact Sue Norton on Oxford 770417 she hopes to hold it every Tuesday starting at 8.00 p.m.



Bingo.

Dont forget the Bingo session starting at the Village Hall every Thursday at 8.00 p.m.

The Choraliers from Upper Heyford came back to entertain the villagers on September 19th 1986 and although it was not: as well attended as Guys and Dolls the people who were there certainly enjoyed themselves and had a jolly good evening. They intend to perform in the village in the near future and we extend our thanks to them for coming.



Church Road.

There have been a number of complaints recently regarding speeding in Church Road and P.C. Reynolds has warned a number of people. Remember, this road is used by a number of people and there are quite a few children living at the Mill houses. So please drive with some consideration when travelling on this road.



Wharf Site.

The Wharf Site is just about complete and by next spring it should be an attractive part of the village. Our thanks must go to Mr. Hutchinson who supervised the operations down at that end.



Sandford Link.

Entries for November Link into the Editor by 20th October 1986.


Edited by Lawrence Boyd, 18 Main Avenue, Sandford-on-Thames, Oxon.
Tel. Oxford xxxxxx (daytime) Oxford xxxxxx (evenings only)






Foot Note.

An evenings entertainment has been arranged in the Village Hall in aid of Parents Anonymous. Tickets will be sold at £2.50 per person, and will be available either at the door or from Lawrence Boyd.

The entertainment takes place on Wednesday 10th DECEMBER 1986 at 8.00 p.m.

Parents Anonymous are a group of caring Men and Women, all parents, who by listening try and help others through the crisis of parenthood. They operate a telephone helpline and befriending service. Anyone who is worried about a child can ring them to talk over their problem in complete confidence.

If you do wish to speak to them telephone them on OXFORD 726600.