Summer 2003             Issue 90

	Sandford     River Run         Saturday            June 28th                (see page 5)
(see pages 8 and 9)

CHURCH NEWS

Ministry team: Robert Morgan (Lower Farm, 748848) priest-in-charge; licensed lay ministers: Brian Andrews (777011);  Liz Shatford (772598). Church Wardens: Mrs Marjorie Harris (24 Henley Road) and Ray Lee (93 Henley Road). Organist: Daniel Chambers. Choirmaster: Christian Bradley.

Lunch with Marjorie: this report is really 'Hot off the Press' as it was only on 7th June that we met at Marjorie's for a really super lunch, to which she had invited us. Thirteen members were able to respond to her kind invitation, which was unlucky for none, and anyway Marjorie herself made it fourteen. Just before we sat down, Mike took a few photographs, so we shall all have a souvenir of the occasion. After we finished lunch, we all moved into the 'garden room' for conversation over tea/coffee. Members presented Marjorie with a book token and a bouquet of flowers as a mark of appreciation for her hospitality. Joan had organised a picture quiz, which is always popular, and was won by Angela, with her sister Jan as runner-up; there is nothing like keeping all the prizes in the family!

An Invitation: Ladies, you are always welcome to join our friendly meetings. During the summer we shall be having some coffee mornings, generally on Saturdays, so if you would like to know more please contact Joan on 715788.

The Hollow Crown HM's loyal burghers of Sandford-on-Thames were treated to a feast of readings and songs to celebrate 50 years since the coronation on Saturday June 7th (five days late - Sandford behind the Thymes) by the Sandford Players - led by Philip Baxter (ex-Burra Close), Brian, Pam and Christian. The theme is familiar - Willie, Willie, Harry, Ste; Harry, Dick, John, Harry 3; one, two, three Neds, Dick the mad; Harry, Edward, Dick the bad etc. From Shakespeare to Jane Austen to the Vicar of Bray they recapitulated English history from the French invasion (1066) to the Prince of Wales (2003). Especially moving were James I on tobacco, anticipating Sir Richard Doll on the link with cancer, and Victoria's diary of her coronation day. And Queen Eleanor's confession was very local.

Visit the Sandford website www.tarzey.co.uk/sandford on which you can also consult back numbers of the Link.

The Parish Council is looking for someone with cartographical skills to draw a village map for display in the village hall. If you are that person, please contact the Clerk to the Council, Liz Shatford on 772598.	The Porch - Steppin Stones Centre, St Mary's Road, East Oxford, are looking for volunteers. Contact Neil Melrose at 728545 [The Porch - more info]
	Community Refuse Vehicles for use by villagers: for dates and times, please see Parish Council noticeboards
VILLAGE HALL BOOKINGS Private functions: £10 per hour Bookings phone: 07759-890696 [Village Hall - Info]	in the Village Hall every Thursday 7.0 for 8.0 - in aid of Village Hall funds	We have an excellent MOBILE LIBRARY: alternate Thursdays 3.50 - 4.05 outside the Fox [more info]
Barry and Barbara welcome you to the Catherine Wheel FREEHOUSE 38 Henley Road Sandford-on-Thames, Oxford OX4 4YP Tel: 01865-778340 Hot and Cold Bar Food Traditional Sunday Roast Lunches     Real Ales Large Garden     Ample Car Park Parties and Outside Functions catered for		CYCLE RIDE A great chance to get to know more of our local architectural heritage is the historic churches cycle ride (or walk) on Saturday 13th September. Details from Ray Lee (93 Henley Road).

June 28th   Sandford River Run   5.0 July 12th   Parish and Village Fete July 12th/13th   Flower Festival July 13th   Green sermon on the Environment   6.30 September 13th   Historic Churches Cycle Ride September 28th   Harvest Festival:  10.0,  11.15  and Lunch November 2nd   All Souls - Memorial service   6.30 December 21st   Children's Carol Service   11.15   Christmas Carol Service   6.30

SANDFORD FLOWER FESTIVAL is consistently one of the best in Oxfordshire. The church will be open on Saturday 12th July from 10.0 - 6.0 and on Sunday 13th July from 11.0 - 6.0. Church services on Sunday 13th: 10.0 a.m. Parish Communion 6.30 p.m. Choral Evensong including the Green sermon on the Environment

Frances Hurst   12th February 1916 - 18th April 2003
Frances came to Orchard House in 2000 and at once became a treasured member of St Andrew's congregation. She had come to Oxford on a scholarship from Bury Grammar School in the 1930s to read history and after working with the British Council during the war dedicated herself to a career in teaching young boys.
Despite poor health and failing eyes she remained a radiant person and those of us who got to know her feel privileged to have had her among us for this short period at the end of her life. We share sympathies with her family.


Harry Wilkinson
died at Orchard House, aged 83, and was buried in Sandford burial ground on 23rd April. Our sympathies go to his family in Sandford and nearby.

Henley Road, Sandford on Thames, Oxford OX4 4GX Telephone: (01865) 334444 . 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.

- in protest at the Education secretary's alleged disdain for medieval history (which he denies, or retracts). The best-known contributor to the Link in all its history is 'Kingcup' whose articles are still treasured. Bob Crickmay has now had to leave 1 Henley Road, where his presence at the garden gate was almost a symbol for entering the old village, and moved to Brookfield in Greater Leys (= Greater Sandford, as those with a sense of history call it). Deprived of Bob's creative writing this season's Link offers a snippet about the Four Pillars from Ethel Carleton Williams (1933) so that those who enjoy the Crusader's Bar should recall the bloody part along with their bloody Mary (or rather bloody Elizabeth).

Near (the farm) house is an old barn with an ancient doorway and three lancet windows, now blocked, which was once the chapel of the Knights Templar, that brotherhood of 'poor soldiers of the Temple of Solomon', formed to protect pilgrims journeying to the Holy Lane. In the reign of Richard I Sir Thomas de Saunford gave the Manor of Sandford to the order, and the military knights in their white mantles with a red cross must have been a familiar sight to the village people for many years.

In 1308 the Order of the Knights Templar was suppressed, and William Sautre, the Preceptor of Sandford, who was believed to be in the inner councils of the order, was seized and imprisoned at Aldgate. Torture and death was the fate of many members, both in England and France. The property at Sandford was given to the Knights Hospitallers of Saint John, whose black mantles and white crosses must have made a sombre contrast with the white cloaks of their predecessors...

The chapel at Sandford (Four Pillars) belonged to the Napiers, a quiet inoffensive family who lived at Holywell (the manor by St Cross Church, now Balliol's), and one brother, George, was a Jesuit priest... and was executed at Oxford in 1568, his limbs being placed over the four gates of the city and his head exposed in front of Christ Church. Secretly at nightfall his relations collected his remains and brought them to Sandford for burial - all but the head, which being within the city they were unable to recover. So every Christmas Eve, the people of Sandford will tell you, George Napier drives a ghostly coach and four to Temple Farm in search of his missing head - whoever meets the coach will die within the year.

This has been a rather short term due to clashing with two bank holidays but we are as active as ever, and it has been great to see some new faces. At the end of last term we had a fun trip to Tumble Towers in Witney, the group's first trip to this venue. It went down very well with both parents and toddlers alike, so a repeat is likely.

Back to this term, we are very grateful for a donation of a tunnel and pop-up tent from a local family in Rock Farm. Perhaps if any other families have equipment that their children no longer use that they may wish to donate it to the toddler group? Quality toys in good condition are always welcome but in particular we need books for two year olds and above as well as puzzles (not the wooden peg type as we have plenty of these). If you have anything you think will be suitable please do not hesitate to call me.

Later this term we are planning our summer trip probably to Beale Park where the children can enjoy the animals, the adventure playgrounds, the miniature railway and no doubt a picnic and an ice cream. We are also active participants in the Village Fete and are planning a cake stall and a 'decorate your own biscuit' stall, as well as a third stall if volunteers come forward to help. We do hope you will pay the stalls a visit.

We usually run the toddler group until the end of July and hope you will support us until then. One weekend next term we hope to hold a 'nearly new' sale of toys, baby and maternity clothes but before booking the hall etc. would like to have an idea of whether this would be supported in the village. We propose to charge for each table with the money going to the toddler group and the proceeds from the table sales being kept by you. If this is of interest please contact me on 776357 so I can gauge numbers.

We run from 10-12 on a Monday morning in the village hall and all mums, dads and carers are very welcome.


A celebration of 19 years
of St Augustine of Canterbury school will be held on Friday June 27th at 7.0 p.m. in the School Hall. At 7.30 there will be a service of thanksgiving, followed by refreshments, with a bar and live music. Tickets £6 per person, from Mrs O. Godfrey, St Augustine's School, Iffley Turn, Oxford OX4 4DX, will be sent on receipt of your cheque. Entry by ticket only, bought in advance.

Notes from meetings April - June 2003

Chairman: Nigel Northcott (773569); Clerk: Liz Shatford (772598) Councillors: M. D'Arcy, M. Norton, M. Inston, P. Tuson, H. Hutton, M. Hills

April 2003:

Traffic matters: Mr Egawhary from Oxon CC reported that he had made copies for the PCC of the original agreements made between Magdalen College, Oxford United and the City Council, which included financial provision for traffic management in Sandford. He was investigating whether it would be appropriate to use some of the money, e.g. for traffic calming. He was working on proposals for Grenoble Road to absorb most of the excess match day parking and it was hope that work could start in May/June of this year.

Village Hall security: motor bikes and bicycles were still being brought on to the rec. It was resolved to lock the double gates and to get a quotation for providing one new kissing gate by the double gates and two replacement kissing gates at existing positions to allow buggy access and to move the notice board down to the gate near the church. A two or three strand barbed wire would be fixed to existing posts by the ditch behind the bus stop.

Auditor's report: was reported to the council and the Annual Return was approved and accepted by the council.

For information: there was a delay in completing the works to the footbridge at Fiddler's Elbow. A request that the footpath down to Grenoble Road be cleared of rubbish by Science Park landscapers had not yet been met. Another request that pram/wheelchair crossings be provided at various points between Oxford Park Homes and the village will be acted on.

May 2003:

Election of Chairperson: Dr N. Northcott was unanimously re-elected. He congratulated J. Stimson on his re-election to SODC, and thanked him for his work on behalf of the parish. He also thanked M. D'Arcy, who did not stand for re-election, for his service. Only six councillors had put their names forward for election, so there was now a vacancy on the council. Election of Vice Chairperson: M. Norton agreed to stand and was unanimously elected.

He reported that following the election, the Conservatives now control the SODC, with 27 seats to 9 Lib Dem. He hoped to be on the planning sub committee for our area and for the local plan task group. He was arranging a meeting with Mr Lally regarding the Park Homes site. He hoped to be a member of the scrutiny committee to continue to monitor flooding problems. He had received some correspondence from Broadhurst Gardens residents complaining of the tree lopping work being carried out. Nothing had been decided about the proposed wheelie bins.

Matters arising:
Traffic etc. Another 750 parking spaces were proposed at the Stadium.
Jubilee Garden. It was hoped to have a proposal for the next meeting.
Noticeboard. Would be relocated from inside the rec. to a new position between the letter box and telephone kiosk, and a new noticeboard would be put near the post box in Heyford Hill Lane.
Kissing gates. Two to be ordered for the church Road rec. to replace existing ones.

Matters for consideration:
Broadhurst Gardens. The parishioners present voiced their disquiet on the progress and manner of working of the contractors doing the tree work. The tendering process was explained. It was agreed that the work was not of a sufficient standard and a meeting would be held on site to discuss cleaning up the site and halting the work until the end of the bird nesting season.

June 2003:

District Councillor's report: Mr Stimson reported that recent changes to the Planning Committee was having the effect of slowing things down, and he was pushing for reconsideration.
At the Cabinet meeting he had raised the matter of the defunct police liaison committee, and said that the police would have power to choose members of the proposed new committee. He had asked the Chief

Matters for consideration:
Broadhurst Gardens recreation ground. The landscape was much improved, and the work would be completed later this year. Repairs would be carried out to the playground equipment.
Traffic matters. Matters were proceeding with the legal side of traffic control. A bid for a minor works traffic scheme to Henley Road at the junction with Church Road had been passed.
Jubilee Garden. A contractor to look at the donated old lock stones to assess the feasibility of moving them.

For information:
Youth shelter roof to be recovered. Littlemore Health Care Trust to be asked to trim trees by Orchard House and to review their rubbish arrangements when putting out sacks from the care homes. Village history leaflet to be reprinted.

NEXT MEETING
to be held on
Monday July 7th at 7.0
in the Village Hall