November/December 1992             Issue 47

CHURCH NEWS

R.I.P.

Congratulations

to Sue and Martin Kenyon of Church Road, and to Hannah Victoria, born on 13th October

to Steven and Jane Leggett, Main Avenue, and to Sean and. Greg born on the 24th September

to Sheila and Ray Tuckwell, Riverview, and to James Richard born on 29th June

on getting engaged, to Peter Browning and Sharon Banner of Church Road; to Matthew Watts and Rosemary Mozo of Riverview; and to Richard Simmons and Sharon Elliott-Smith of Church Road

and to Christopher Hackett for being signed on by Oxford United under their Youth Programme


Welcome
to Philippe, Veronique, Guillaume (8) and Luka (4) Saumal of Church Road (new house), and to Bill, Monica and Philip Barry to the top of Church Road.


Thanks
to customers at the Fox who contributed £31.37 in a jar of coins towards the Church Building Appeal Fund; to Oxon Historic Churches Trust and Oxford Preservation Trust who have promised £3,000 for the same appeal; and to others for anonymous donations through the Friends of Sandford Church.

Skills Register...

Sandford Relief Expedition to Bosnia

They managed to reach the hills north of Splitz and delivered supplies, returning on the 25th October with horrific stories of conditions there - of murder, destruction of homes and bitter cold. Three Pakistanis from Bradford joined them and went missing, believed killed, and only the fact of Bill's brakes overheating saved the Sandford contingent. Laurence plans to return.

Laurence wishes to thank all those who helped him with this effort, especially Mrs Coles of Main Avenue, who ran the secretariat from her home.


Quiz Night
On Saturday October 24th ninety eager and enthusiastic punters gathered at the Village Hall for the fourth of the Great Sandford Quiz Nights masterminded by Tim James. 12 tables teams entered and the Black and Tans were thoroughly thrashed, surrendering their title to The Squad. Thanks to Tim, and to the honest umpires and markers Lyn and Sarah Brookings, those who gave raffle prizes, Sharon Gibbons and co. for seeing to catering, Gina Ashburton and team for seeing to drinks, Robin Butler for seeing to electronics and all who participated, especially those who bought the vodka and the chutney at impressive prices.


CHESHIRE HOMES
The Village Hall lunch for Handicapped People brought some 57 guests to the village this October. Again they have thanked Mrs Harris and team for a huge effort. The rest of us bask in the village getting a good reputation for hospitality.

On Belonging to Sandford

Most of us observe the civilities and are polite to the people next door, even if we don't much like them or want to know them. But our wider range of possible friends means many do not have much investment in the local community - such as it is - or in building it up. Or we don't have much energy for it - having a lot of pressure at work, and responsibilities elsewhere. Home is where we put our feet up and watch TV.

Some choose to live here because they think it is a village - and are disappointed to discover it is not (or is only residually) a village. The school and even the local shop have gone and not enough people know each other to call it a village. A bit of the old village survives - a few people here have known each other all their lives, but some of them rarely meet and scarcely impinge on newcomers.

None of this is a vicar's moan - it's just seeing how the parish is. The church parish is only a part of the geographical parish anyway, so it would be silly to comment beyond noting that belonging to a church has usually been a focus of local community. But whatever our spiritual life it is worth reflecting on what as individuals and as a society we have lost, as well as the freedoms we have gained. And to ask where our society is going when local community goes does the drain. And whether the state's providers can ever substitute for a bit of care and responsibility for neighbours, especially those who do not have the freedom of a car or the support of a caring family.

Of those who put down more permanent roots here the recently retired are a special group - they still have energy, but (sometimes) now more time. They are often still discovering what their own life is all about - and have more time to think about it than when work and children absorbed all their time. Some are anxious to pack a lot into what time is left, but others are more concerned with the quality of their life - and its meaning. And some find part of that meaning in what they can do to make Sandford a better place for us all to live in.


Meeting Point
will be on Fridays 13th November and 11th December, at 12.30 in the Village Hall. Tea, coffee, 60p lunch - all welcome.

Prize Crossword The crossword in the last Link produced three correct entries, and after a draw the £5 prize is awarded to Mrs J. Greenwood, to whom many congratulations. Apologies that news has pushed the crossword out of this issue.

SOLUTION Across: 1, Arch. 3. Somebody. 6, Torpedo. 9, Table. 12, Adze. 14, Alt. 15, Commander. 17, Riot. 18, Act. 19, Ascot. 21, Lie. 22, Tint. 23. Devastate. 27, Uni. 29, Open. 30, Latin. 31, Tigress. 33, Befuddle. 34, Gaze. Down: 1, Attic. 2, Hip. 3, Sudan. 4. Ententis. 5, Dull. 7, Remittent. 8, Odd. 10, Batlleaxe. 11, Etude. 13, Zero. 16, Abandoned. 18, Annul. 20, Step. 24, Vet. 25, Anise. 26, Ensue. 28, Rave. 32, Rag.

What Sandford People Get Up To

I was delighted to be chosen as part of the 20-strong team. St George was opening its doors each day during the Olympic period to visitors and sportspeople, offering refreshments, large TV screen coverage in English, an information and helpline and two daily worship services. Our duties were very varied from sweeping floors to greeting visitors to leading services.

We also spent time out and about in Barcelona. We were publicising events being held at the Church through hotels, information centres, railway stations etc. Two members of our team were from an organisation called 'Christians in Sport', and they led daily bible study for the athletes. The athlete Kris Akabusi, was a regular member of this group. He had become a Christian a few months after the 1986 Commonwealth Games, having found a New Testament in his hotel room and read it from cover to cover.

He realised that gaining medals and the ensuing fame and fortune still did not satisfy him and there had to be another meaning in his life. Kris found this through his faith in Jesus Christ. It is encouraging that this international bible study group, which meets at many sporting events, is growing and that many athletes now recognise the importance of the spiritual dimension in their lives (1 Cor. 9.24-26).

Back to the physical dimension - it was very hot and very humid. But please don't feel too sorry for me, as I found a leisurely walking pace with several drink and ice cream stops and a good siesta helped greatly, and I managed to cope! I also managed to see some of the equestrian and athletic events. It was wonderful to be in the stadium and see Carl Lewis, Leroy Burrel and Linford Christie run - even better to do the Mexican wave!

Barcelona is a beautiful city too, with stunning architecture, wide tree-lined street and plazas and a sandy beach, Atlanta 1996 will have a hard act to follow.

Carys Davies

Harvest 1992

The response to the Youth Club invitation to bring food for the homeless was poor, but as usual Mr Pitson and Mr Welch were able to take a good pile of provisions to the Sisters of Nazareth in the Cowley Road - they have written to thank all who contributed. Fr Armstrong preached movingly on the need for generosity in a needy world, as did St Paul.

Harvest Home.

'The practice now gaining ground autong farmers of joining together at the completion of the Harvest, to offer their thanks to a bountiful creation - and also for entertaining the labourers who had been engaged in the fields, has this year been adopted by the occupiers of land at Littlemore and Sandford - the result was a very successful village festival which took place at Littlemore on Wednesday last, October 3rd 1863. Dinner was held in a marquee erected in Mr John Martin's 'Close'. The Rev. W.H. Ronken incumbent of Sandford gave the address.'

And what of today? After 147 years of Harvest Festivals much has changed, as for most of us our only work in the gathering of food is in the supermarket. And yet: 'While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease'.

Kingcup       [Kingcup - more info]

SANDFORD-ON-THAMES PARISH COUNCIL.

Parish Council Vacancy Only one application had been received, and Mr David Judd was therefore put forward as co- opted member of the Parish Council by unanimous vote.

Remembrance Plague It was agreed to erect a remembrance plaque in the Village Hall to the late Joyce Rolston.

Heyford Hill Lane Play Area - Residents' objections. The Chairman reported on a dispute over the positioning of the play equipment. Mr Jaques of SODC will be dealing with this matter, and the PC asked the Chairman to attend a meeting of all parties should this be necessary.

Provision of Postbox in Heyford Hill Lane agreed.

Street naming Cul de sac off Pheasant Walk agreed as 'Fox'.

Traffic Control - Church Road The PC's request for the extension of waiting prohibitions will be put to the Traffic and Works sub-committee, and a site meeting will take place between the PC, Mr Ivor Stevenson and the Highways dept.

Renovation of Noticeboard and resiting on Wharf Estimate for £75 from Mr Donnelly approved.

Provision of Park and Ride/Rail Link Document to be circulated to Councillors and meeting with planners to be arranged.

Central Oxfordshire Local Plan Chairman to obtain copy.

International Tree Foundation - Meeting Noted.

Introduction to Council Tax Clerk authorised to purchase video for £5.

Chiltern Society - meeting Mrs Shepherd and Mrs Hutton to attend.

Planning: Applications
Old Concrete Works - modification of condition 5.
Objection - PC would prefer size of the units to be restricted.

Heyford Hill Lane - site for 12 detached houses and garages with accesses on land adjacent to Hillside.
Objections -
1. Overdevelopment of area 2. Support objections by River Thames Society
3. Area contains rare plants and should be considered area of scientific interest
4. Overloading of busy and narrow access road.

Appeals
Rock Farm Lane - change of use of agricultural land to domestic curtilage.
The PC had no objection to change of use, but would wish a condition to be imposed regarding the enclosure of proposed gardens, i.e. that existing means of enclosure be removed and a country hedge planted.

Permission granted
11 Rock Farm Lane - construction of open car- port.
Sewage Works - storage of liquid petroleum gas.

County Councillor's report A quiet month.

District Councillor's report DC not present.

Income	£		Expenditure	£
Ms Green mooring fees	48.00		Mr Donnelly	316.75
Grass cutting equipment	75.00		SEB	65.14
			SEB	41.32
			Magdalene College
			Rec. field rent	75.00
			Playground equip
			insurance	25.28
			Local Council
			review sub.	5.00
			Clerks salary	200.00
			Municipal Ins.	141.05

Village Hall
Mr Gladwell reported financial difficulties and requested assistance from PC. For October agenda - gift of £1,000 to Village Hall Committee from 1992 allocation.

Garden Competition Request for contribution towards costs - October agenda.

CHEMISTS ROTA