April 1990             Issue 30

Among these was the giving of eggs, universal symbols of new life and fertility. A simple gift of eggs would have been a welcome treat for orthodox Christians who had denied themselves eggs and butter during their Lenten fast. But nowadays, when Lent is not so strictly observed, we usually give each other chocolate eggs at Easter. In Eastern Europe, Easter eggs are decorated in bright patterns, and the most extravagent ones must be those made of gold and precious stones for the Russian royal family by the jeweller Faberge. In other European countries the Easter Hare is said to bring eggs and hide them around the house and garden for the children to find on Easter morning. The hare itself is a fertility symbol, dedicated to the north European goddess Eostre, from whose name the word Easter derives.

Easter does not have a fixed date. It once used to be celebrated on the first Sunday after Passover, but in 325 leaders of the Christian church at the Council of Nicaea decided that Easter should fall on the Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox (March 21st). As a result, Easter Sunday may be as early as 22nd March or as late as 25th April.

CHURCH NEWS Priest-in-charge: Rev. Robert Morgan, Lower Farm, Henley Road, Sandford-on-Thames. Tel: 748848

HOLY WEEK & EASTER

Life around us will go on much as usual, ignoring what is being remembered by believers. It was like that on the first Good Friday. A few friends and followers gathered around the cross, and others had been at The Last Supper the night before - but the majority had no idea that here in the injustice and violence being inflicted on the one perfectly good man, God was identifying with all the pain of his world, and building a way through it to a better world.

It's like the thousands who drive past the village at high speed on the dual carriageway and glance across to the quiet village and its Norman church. Nothing seems to be happening, and the high powered cars take their highly pressurised drivers past as quickly as possible. But inside each of the houses they only see from the outside life is going on at a different pace. Some maybe rushing around, others manage a more ordered pattern of life. Some chase around in search of diversions, others find their joys and satisfactions at home. Most people are developing friendships, nurturing relationships. Some are struggling, others fortunate to enjoy decent health and moderate prosperity.

Some find it important to make room for their inner lives to grow. Holy Week is a special opportunity to make time and space for recovering the deep springs that make human life holy. Most of us need to be taught to pray, but joining with others on a regular basis helps, both in church and in house groups, which spring up like the daffodils in unexpected places at this time of the year. The more deeply we observe Lent and Holy Week, the better we shall learn the meaning of Easter. The Palm Sunday evening service of anthems and readings is an open door for non-regular church-goers too, and for those in the village during the day on Good Friday, to call in if only for 5 minutes, is a way of marking the day and showing respect.

Commencing 9th April 1990, the mobile library will call on alternate Mondays at The Fox, Sandford, 12.35 - 1.00pm

PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

PRIZE CROSSWORD WIN £5.00

Answers to xx Church Road
by the 10th April please.

Home-made Fudge... Delicious!

MAKES: 36 pieces
PREP: 5 minutes
COOK: 20 minutes

1. Butter a 7in/18cm square tin. Put the evaporated milk, water, butter and sugar in a large heavy-based saucepan.

2. Cook over a low heat until the sugar dissolves, without boiling. Then raise the heat and boil the mixture steadily until it will form a soft ball when a little is dropped into cold water. Stir all the time to prevent the mixture sticking or burning.

3. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla essence. Leave to cool for a minute or two, then beat well until the mixture starts to thicken and crystallise round the edge of the pan.

4. Pour into the prepared tin and leave to cool and set. When cold and firm cut into pieces.

TIP!

As a variation add 2oz/50g of one of the following to the fudge as it starts to thicken: raisins, chopped glace cherries, stem ginger or nuts. Buy a selection of pretty boxes and tissue paper and place the fudge in paper sweet cases. Fill the box with a selection of different fudges for an ideal present.

ARTICLES FOR SUBMISSION Any articles for submission should be with the Editor at xx Church Road by the 10th of each month for inclusion in the following months edition. The Link magazine is published monthly by the Link Committee and is edited by Richard Jackson, xx Church Road. Whilst the Committee takes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the material contained, no responsibility can be held for any action arising from this publication.

SANDFORD ON THAMES PARISH COUNCIL

PRESENTR
Mrs J Rolston (Chairman),
Mrs J Shepherd (Vice-Chairman),
Mrs H Hutton,
Mr M Leary,
Mr M Norton,
Mr A Robinson,
Mr I Stevenson (County Councillor).

Apologies for absence were received from Mrs G Ashburner.

Read and Approve Minutes
The Minutes of the previous Meeting were taken as read, having been previously circulated, and signed by the Chairman. 5 votes in favour.

Matters Arising
No matters arising

Correspondence

1. Speyhawk Development Management - Oxford Science Park. Noted.
2. Travers Morgan - Oxford Science Park Infrastructure Package 1. Noted.
The Clerk was asked to contact the site foreman and ask if the entrance to the site could be lit at night. Mrs Shepherd offered to liaise with Mr Tracy, the site foreman, on matters concerning the site entrance and the safety of pedestrians, etc.
3. OCC - Parish/Community Newsletters. Passed to Link.
4. Clarks - Signpost in recreation field: Kings Arms, Sandford. Noted.
5. SODC - Litterblitz '90. Noted.
6. SODC - Tourism. Noted.
7. SODC - Arrangements for Parish Precepts. 1990/91. Noted.
8. SODC - Central Oxfordshire Local Plan. Noted. To be placed on the Agenda for the March Meeting.

General

Planning

Applications

P89/W05 14 Blackbird Leys, Sites B1/l & B1/5 within the (Amendment) proposed new development south of the existing Blackbird Leys, Sandford. Mixed Council housing on two nearby sites to be built as a single contract site B1/1 - ten dwellings: site B1/5 - 33 dwellings: access.
No objection.
Proposed by Mr Leary, Seconded by Mr Norton. 6 votes in favour.

P90/W0742 Science Park Erection of four storey building for (Amendment) B1 use and development purposes, together with associated landscape works and the formation and construction of access roads and temporary parking. No objection.
Proposed by Mrs Hutton, Seconded by Mr Robinson. 6 votes in favour.

Permission Granted

P89/W0801 Elmslea, Two storey rear extension to provide new kitchen with staff flat above together with other internal alterations. Number of residents (excl staff) to be increased from 9 to 13.

S.06/89 Blackbird Leys Farm, Construction of 10 class First School and Nursery with joint Education/Community use. Change of use of Farmhouse to joint Education/Community use Construction of access road and car parking. Permission Refused

P89/W09 16/A Kings Arms Flat wall plaque.

Income & Expenditure.

Income	£		Expenditure	£
Nil	0.00		SEB (Power & Maint)	82.64
			Clerk's Salary	175.00
			Traveling Expenses	3.60

Proposed by Mrs Shepherd, Seconded by Mrs Hutton, 6 votes in favour.

Chairs
Mrs Rolston reported that Littlemore Nursery had some toddler's chairs they no longer required and had been asked whether the Council would like them. Mrs Rolston was asked to thank Littlemore Nursery and accept their kind offer.

Playingfield Equipment

Mrs Rolston raised the matter of replacement playground equipment. The Clerk said that the Council needed to decide exactly what they wanted and produce a schedule and plan. The Council would then be able to put the work out to tender and apply for a grant.

Rock Farm Lane

Mr Robinson reported on the meeting on the 31st January between Magdalen College and the residents of Rock Farm Lane in connection with the development on Rock Farm. Mr Robinson produced an outline plan of the 24 houses.

Community Policeman's Report Nothing to report.

LINK - Items for Discussion Nothing to report.

Date of Next Meeting - confirmed for Monday 5th March 1990 at 7pm in the Village Hall.

Meeting closed at 8.02pm

PLEASE HELP... I collect milk bottle tops for guide dogs for the blind. Like to help? Just leave a bag outside my door. Mrs B Todd xx Church Road. Aluminum cans recycled for charity. Take them to the Churchill Hospital Day Nursery or leave them outside my door. Mrs B Todd 21 Church Road.

CHEMISTS' ROTA SERVICE

APRIL
Closest to Sandford area only
The following Chemist will be open for dispensing
from 5.30pm-6.30pm Mondays to Fridays and
12 noon-lpm Sundays and Public Holidays.

Week commencing

April 1st	Emerald Pharmacy 34 Cowley Road Littlemore
April 8th	W H Green (Chemists) Ltd 8 Rose Hill Parade
April 13th/15th/16th only (Easter holiday period)
	M J Proctor 158 Oxford Road Cowley
April 17th	M J Proctor 252 Cowley Road Oxford
April 22nd	M J Proctor 158 Oxford Road Cowley
April 29th	P L Jenner 236/8 Cowley Road Oxford
Mayday Bank Holiday/May 6th/May Day, May 7th only
	W H Green(Chemists) Ltd 8 Rose Hill Parade
May 8th	Kingswood Chemists 103/5 Pound Way Cowley Centre