- Supplement Issue No.5. -
THE LINK
SANDFORD - ON - THAMES MAGAZINE
SUPPLEMENT ISSUE NOVEMBER 1999
CONTENTS
Changes on the Parish Council.
Editor for the Link Supplement.
Post Early for Christmas.
Neighbourhood Watch.
St Andrew's Church News.
Park Homes Residents' Association.
Village Christmas/Millennium Party.
Sandford-on-Thames Women's Institute.
Community Refuse Collection.
Right of way over Lock.
Changes on the Parish Council: Ray James has resigned from the Parish Council
to enable him to pursue full-time academic studies, and we wish him well in that,
and thank him for his past services to the Council and the village.
Derek Bloomfield, our worthy Lock-keeper, agreed to be co-opted, and has now
joined the Parish Council. Derek is a well-known figure in the village, and a
source of information to all, so I am sure will make a useful contribution.
Editor for the Link Supplement: With the resignation of Ray James, we are seeking
a new Editor for the Link Supplement, which aims to publish four times a year.
This appointment is not confined to Parish Councillors, so anyone who is willing
and able to undertake this service to the village please contact the Clerk.
Meanwhile, this edition has been edited by Mike Inston.
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Post Early for Christmas: and make good use of the new Post Box
After a long wait we have a smart new Post Box situated on the corner of Henley
Road and Church Road, of a design which not only holds more mail, but is also
more secure, indeed a "Post Box for the new Millennium!"
We have already put our name down for a similar enhancement on Heyford Hill
Lane, when Royal Mail funds permit.
Neighbourhood Watch: The Neighbourhood Watch group in Church Road is in
urgent need of more volunteers to keep the organisation in proper operation.
Area Coordinators are a convenient link to the Police, especially when abnormal
occurrences are seen which in themselves are thought to be not worth reporting to
the police, but which together with others in the area build up to something more
serious. Keeping a look-out on behalf of your neighbour is of mutual benefit to
everyone. What is more, some Insurance companies give a discount on premium
charges if where you live is a recognised Neighbourhood Watch area.
If we are unable to maintain Watch status there is a danger the privilege will be
withdrawn by the Police.
I understand that there has been some discussion of forming groups in other
parts of the Village: don't delay - decide to-day, make a Millennium resolution.
Please have a word with Derek at the Lock, and he will be pleased to give you
details of how much benefit may be gained for so little effort.
St Andrew's Church News: Congratulations to PC Clerk Liz Shatford who, at the
Cathedral on 30th October was licensed by the Bishop as a Lay Reader.
Regular churchgoers will know that Liz has already carried out many of her new
duties as part of her training.
For your Diary:
November 26 at 6.30 pm Advent Choral Evensong
December 19 at 11.1 5 am Toddlers' Carol Service
6.30 pm Christmas Carol Service
In the next Link:
Details of other services over Christmas and Millennium New Year.
Park Homes Residents' Association send Christmas Greetings and Good Wishes
for the New Year to all residents of the Village, and especially to those living on the
Park Homes estate. Their annual Christmas Raffle will take place as usual, and
donations of prizes will be welcomed by Chairperson Hazel Hutton.
The Association News Letter will be distributed shortly, and please note that the
Notice Board is in place at 1a the Avenue for the posting of notices and 'For Sale
and Wanted' items.
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VILLAGE FAMILIES NEW YEAR PARTY
TO CELEBRATE THE MILLENNIUM
IN THE VILLAGE HALL FROM 8.00 pm
A LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS AT £5 for A FAMILY OF 4/5
OBTAINABLE FROM THE ORGANISERS:
Helen Willmot, 17 Broadhurst Gardens, tel:747648
Yvonne Hutton, 59 Henley Road, tel:778403
BRING A PLATE OF FOOD LICENSED BAR
This party will replace the Christmas Party in your Diary for 17th December
Sandford-on-Thames Womens Institute
After the Summer break, we travelled to the Antarctic with Mandy Wood. She
gave us a very interesting talk, with beautiful colour slides of her holiday, which
seemed more like an adventure, as she made it come alive for us. The evening
ended with a welcome cuppa, and a fund-raising sale of goods.
We celebrated our first birthday in October with a Harvest supper. Although quite
a number of members were unable to attend, we did receive two special guests
who were Jean Gardner and Ruth Webb. These were the two ladies from the
Federation who helped us revive the Institute in Sandford a year ago. Everyone
enjoyed the evening, and made a feast of the Supper, complete with chocolate
Birthday cake!
Reports by Joan Inston
Forthcoming events in 1999:
Monday 15th November: "Chiltern Air Support Unit" an illustrated talk on the
work of the Police helicopter by PC David Martin.
Monday 13th December: Christmas Party Time.
All meetings are held in the Village Hall, starting at 7.30 pm until 9.30
Any ladies who would like to come along to these meetings will be made
Very Welcome
The Community Refuse Vehicle made the first of its regular visits, replacing the
Skip,to the Village Hall car park on 9th November and was reportedly a success.
The next following dates and times are:
Saturday 27th November 08.00 - 12.00
Tuesday 2lst December 11.15 - 14.00
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Right of Way over Lock
The question of a public Right of Way through the Kings Arms land and over the
footbridge to Sandford Lock has been debated for many years and by a long
succession of Parish Councils. There was even a Public Inquiry in 1969 when
the Definitive Map of Footpaths in Oxfordshire was being reviewed.
The matter has been raised again this year, because of the dilapidation of the
wooden planks of the footbridge, which constitute a hazard to users. Ownership
of the bridge is claimed by the Brewery, and in fact there was for a long time a toll
charged for use of it. and although that is no longer the case, closure of access
by the owners on only one day in twenty years is sufficient to deny public use as
of right.
The Parish Council debated the situation at its meeting on 4th October, together
with The Footpaths Officer of the County Council, and representatives from
Kennington and Radley Parish Councils, representing the many people from those
villages who regularly use that route to cross the river.
At that meeting it was agreed that:- a) the Sandford clerk would draft a letter to be
sent jointly from Sandford, Kennington and Radley to the Environment Agency
and Scottish & Newcastle requesting the routes across the Kings Arms land and
across the lock be dedicated as a public right of way; b) These two agencies be
asked to undertake repairs to the wooden bridge in the interest of public safety.
A reply from Scottish & Newcastle has now been received stating that they will
continue to resist dedication of a public right of way, but offering to contribute
approximately 1/3 of the cost of repairs to their bridge!
The debate continues
A HAPPY CHRISTMAS AND A GOOD NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL
The Link Magazine Supplement published by Sandford on Thames Parish Council
This issue edited by MJ Inston. Printed by PARCHMENT, Cowley, Oxford.
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COPYRIGHT © 1999 by The Link Committee.
Reproduced with permission.