Summer 2000             Issue 78

Weekend of July 8th/9th
(see pages 10 and 11)

CHURCH NEWS

In his steps

The 4th Sunday after Easter then addresses God 'who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men' (is the gender specific language appropriate?) and prays that God's people 'may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise' - mind-bending paradoxes that go to the roots of religion and leading to the wish and desire 'that our hearts may surely (securely) there be fixed, where true joys are to be found.' There is much to be said for the old language that we are in danger of forgetting - or never learning.

Welcome

Welcome to the world

SANDFORD RIVER RUN 3 or 5 miles Saturday 24th June Registration from 4.30 Starting gun 5.0 Sponsorship forms from 748848 Entrance for unsponsored adults £2	Green sermon The annual Green sermon on the Environment will take place at the Choral Evensong 6.30 p.m. during the Flower Festival on 9th July. Speaker Bev Christopher. Songs of praise 6.30 p.m. Sunday 17th September. Choices to churchwardens please.
Mothers and Toddlers are flourishing, but by popular vote are now meeting on Mondays, still from 9.30 to 11.0 in the Village Hall. New or expecting mums can be sure of a warm welcome.	in the Village Hall every Thursday 7.0 for 8.0 - in aid of village Hall funds.

Youth Club

Heavy rain made the Firemen's visit inappropriate - but future special occasions are in the pipe-line, including trip to Cotswold Water Park on 25th June (missing 11.15).

Lewis Carroll Sunday

Oxford United News etc.

Bull back

Very many congratulations to Lilian Bennett, until recently of Church Road, who has just celebrated her 103rd birthday.

run by Sandford artist Val Saunders At the Ark-T Centre+Gallery Crowell Road, Cowley Centre Fridays 10.0 - 12 noon £3 per session, payable on the day Everyone welcome

Tug of war

SANDFORD-ON-THAMES ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

The Chairman, in his Annual Report, summarised activities in the village during the year, which had been reported regularly in the Link and the Link Supplement, and thanked the Clerk, members of the Council and the District and County Councillors for their support.

District Councillor John Stimson, who was unable to be at the meeting, reported on the situation with the Oxford Park Homes estate, and was thanked by Hazel Hutton for his help and advice.

County Councillor Roy Tudor Hughes gave a general report on the work of the County Council, and in reply to questions from the floor engaged in a debate on problems existing in and around the Ten Acre gypsy site. Mr Tudor Hughes, who had previously visited the site, promised to take up all matters with the agencies concerned.

The Statement of Accounts for 1998-1999 was presented by the Clerk, and adopted by the meeting.

Matters raised by the parishioners included:
A request that the Community Refuse Vehicle should be rotated between various locations within the village, to be taken up with SODC by the Clerk.

Clarification of the level of the precept, the reduction this year resulting in a small reduction in the Council Tax for everyone.

Concern was expressed regarding the level of street lighting in the village, but this is not now within parish control. Parishioners were thanked for their participation in the meeting.

Come and try Bistro No.4 at Oxford Thames Four Pillars Hotel With Our Special Offer 2 meals for the Price of 1 Available throughout June 2000 This voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or voucher FOR RESERVATIONS - 01865 334444 Please present this voucher when dining.

SANDFORD FLOWER FESTIVAL This annual event, regularly one of the best flower festivals in Oxfordshire, will take place on the Fete weekend, and the church will be open on Saturday 8th July from 10.0 - 6.0 and on Sunday 9th July from 11.0 - 6.0. Church services on Sunday 9th: 10.0 a.m. Parish Communion       6.30 p.m. Choral Evensong

[Parish Fate - Click for more detail]

Rest in peace

Sandford Womens Institute

The theme this month was a discussion, led by our Voluntary County Officer, of three resolutions to be submitted to the WI Triennial General Meeting to be held at the Wembley Arena in June.

The first resolution was to urge on the Government the importance of allowing people to collect their pensions and benefits in cash at local post offices beyond the year 2003. Failure to continue this facility may cause hardship especially to elderly and disabled people who would have to travel to towns perhaps miles away.

The second resolution related to the funding of children's hospices, which it was felt should be line with the same principles as those applicable to hospices for adults.

And the third resolution, which was considered of great importance, was to urge the Government to greatly improve the treatments and therapies available to stroke sufferers, and to achieve a far higher national standard of care.

All three of these resolutions were unanimously supported by the Sandford Institute.

Church tower shock

Quiz Night

Rose and team saw to the food and a good time was had by all, (esp. Maurice who saw his team All Blue Bar Two to victory for the first time in many years. Congratulations. In a high-scoring match they made 83. Great Expectations (guess who!) came second on 79, with Councillor Jacqueline Smithson and Simon, reinforced by Alan and Carol and secret weapon, and Liz Shatford's Old School team on bronze with 77. Next, Rock of Ages and Classics on 73, Dan and Netti's Dot Corn (reinforced by Chairman Mike and W.I. facilitator Joan got 66, pushing the Squad into 7th place with 65 - that was without their usual stars.

The other half of the order were close, all above 50, which shows what a well-balanced set of questions we had. Thanks to all who donated generously to the raffle - more prizes than contestants, almost, and did all the invisible things (sound systems), and visible (food and drink). Long may this institution continue and victory continue to move from team to team...

Ride or Stride Saturday 9th September A sponsored event to raise money for: * the church of your choice and * the Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust (your contribution is divided equally between them) sponsorship forms Available from Ray Lee (93 Henley Road)

BUS TOKENS will be issued to qualified residents by Gina Ashburner at 73 Henley Road between 10.0 and 2.0 on 30th June.

Your local homoeopath is Misbah Rishi BSc, DHMS, DMLS practicing at THE BELAWARR CLINIC OXFORD BROOKES UNIVERSITY Homoeopathy is an holistic therapy, not just treating symptoms, but taking into consideration a person's physical, emotional and mental state. It is effective for all ages and equally useful for both acute and chronic conditions. Misbah is also qualified to offer basic: Nutritional advice, Counselling and Touch for Health (Kinesiology) ENQUIRIES AND APPOINTMENTS TELEPHONE: 01865 200365 or 01865 395301

Annual Church Meeting

The finances of the parish churches have been discussed in the press recently with some movement for local communities to reclaim these public buildings which should be open to anyone to find peace and quiet in outside formal services. Similarly the churchyard is public space and the whole village has an interest in seeing it is not abused or vandalised. What proportion of the parish can contribute to running expenses and building fund has been much debated. Individuals have responded and SODC and the Sandford Parish Council have both made contributions towards the VAT cost (going to central government) on the masonry repairs to the church tower. Churches (unlike Village Halls) have to pay VAT at 17.5% on repairs to the building - but local taxation (since 1974) can help, if councils and electors wish.

The meeting received the report from our Lawn Upton school governor (Mrs Diana Kerrod) about the reorganisation, and donations were made to the school's social fund. Though quite small (relative to needs) this shows our aim to support local schools wherever possible. Similarly the Porch drop-in (East Oxford) receives regular support from the parish - food and cash.    [The Porch - more info]

In his report the vicar emphasised our responsibility as a parish to help the neighbouring parishes of Littlemore and Blackbird Leys in any ways we can and thanked Littlemore (and Oriel College) for ceding a chunk of their patch to Sandford. He also thanked those who unobtrusively keep things moving and decent by cutting the grass, cleaning the building, washing and ironing the linen, singing and teaching the kids to sing, conducting discussion groups, convening prayer groups, visiting the housebound, hospitalised etc.

The wardens reported on the state of the fabric, including the masonry repairs in hand, and the deaths and departures of some well- loved regulars were observed, and God thanked for their lives and love.

Visit the Sandford website on www.tarzey.co.uk/sandford

Henley Road, Sandford on Thames, Oxford OX4 4GX Telephone: (01865) 334114 . Fax: (01865) 334400 WEB http://www.four-pillars.co.uk Email: enquiries@four-pillars.co.uk Set in 30 acres of glorious parkland on the banks of the Thames. Open to non residents for drinks, light meals and riverside dining. Carvery lunch on Sundays. Conferences, Weddings (including Ceremony) and private parties. Telephone 01865 334444.

Greater Sandford

However Sandford P.C.C. prefers to remain independent with an unpaid ministry team, and is willing to face its financial burdens of keeping the church and graveyard here open for as long as there is village support for this. The vicar agreed with Councillor Norton's musings, and heard them confirmed by the P.C.C., so petitioned the diocese, supported by Littlemore vicar and P.C.C. Oriel College (Littlemore patron) raised no objection. So the lawyers did their job etc. etc. and on April 1st (is this date significant?) the parish doubled its size.

What this means in practice is that bachelors and spinsters one of whom lives in Heyford Hill Lane area have a legal right to be married in St Andrew's church, where they have always been very welcome anyway. Territory transferred to Blackbird Leys 15 years ago remains there, but toddlers group, youth club, and church (including 11.15 children's services) are still very welcoming to those living outside the parish so long as space is available, which it always has been.


Thanks - St Andrew's thanks some generous members of the Fox congregation. When Nigel's bottle was emptied in May it contained £80.60, a serious contribution to repairing the masonry in the church tower.


and thanks again - to the local Council for a £1,000 grant towards off- setting an unjust tax by central government. By charging the P.C.C. 17.5% VAT on repairing the masonry on the outside of the church tower to make it safe for people visiting graves, the Government (or EU) is this year charging a minority of the village about £4,000 for maintaining a public monument that is part of our national heritage, and available to every member of the community and beyond for its designated purposes.
The other way in which a rebate may be won from the exchequer is by any taxpayer who makes a donations signing a form - then we can reclaim tax paid on that. So thanks! (- and please).

The Woman in the Welsh Cottage