Copy for the next edition should be given to Paula or Vanessa by midnight on 15thFebruaryplease.
Paper submissions can be left in the box in the Church

If you normally prepare your material using a computer, it would make my life easier ifyou could submit your offering in electronic form. The ‘official’ e-mail address is: news-editor @ oxhill.org.uk if you wish to send me stuff that way.

This edition (458)
edited by Paula Buffery, Vennesa Druce & Roger Goodman

Cover Picture

Another year in our beautifull village of Oxhill

Contributions to the Oxhill News

The editors would welcome any pictures, photographs, drawings, poems, puzzles, recipes, announcements or items of local news for possible inclusion in The Oxhill News.

Please emailnews-editor @ oxhill.org.ukor place paper contributions in the box labelled ‘The Oxhill News’ in the Church.

Mobile Library

The library van has books withlarge print, ordinary print, picture books, children's books, paperbacks, non-fiction, novels, sagas, crime, mysteries, adventures, westerns and romance. The van also has talking books, cassettes and CDs.

The library van will continue to visit Oxhill every 3rd Wednesday, stopping at the Village Hall at 10 a.m. and staying there for 30 minutes.

This monththe van will visit us on Wednesday 2nd & 23rd.

You can renew books between van visits by calling 01926 851031, or online atwww.Warwickshire.gov.uk/wild.Mobile Library

The library van has books withlarge print, ordinary print, picture books, children's books, paperbacks, non-fiction, novels, sagas, crime, mysteries, adventures, westerns and romance. The van also has talking books, cassettes and CDs.

The library van will continue to visit Oxhill every 3rd Wednesday, stopping at the Village Hall at 10 a.m. and staying there for 30 minutes.

This monththe van will visit us on Wednesday 2nd & 23rd.

You can renew books between van visits by calling 01926 851031, or online at www.Warwickshire.gov.uk/wild.

Refuse Collections

Recycling and green waste bins (blue and green bins) will be collected on Wednesday 2nd and Tuesdays 15h and 29th.

The grey rubbish bins will be collected on Wednesday 9th and Tuesday 22nd.

Weekday Walkers

There will only be one walk in December:

January 11^th – A 5 mile circular from Whatcote with 240 feet of ascent. Lunch will be at The Royal Oak Whatcote – Leaving Oxhill at 10:00am.

January 25^th – A 4.5 mile circular walk from Ilmington with 570 feet of ascent. Lunch will be at The Red Lion, Ilmington – Leaving Oxhill at 10:00am.

Due to the numbers on the walk Jim Saxton now contacts regular members to get meal decisions by Wednesday evening. Those who wish to join us are most welcome, but please contact Jim Saxton on 01295 680613 or at saxton @ tiscali.co.uk before the Tuesday evening prior to the walk.

Valentine Ewen 1941 - 2012

Val Ewen, who most people in the village remember as the lady with the scotty dog “Mr Fin”, collapsed and died on Friday 7th December while walking her dog.

Val was born on Valentines Day in Londonderry Northern Ireland, the second youngest of a family of six. At 18 years of age she left Londonderry to become a student nurse in Greenwich London. In 1962 she qualified to become Staff Nurse and in 1964 she achieved Ward Sister status.

Those who have lived in Oxhill for many years may remember Al, Val’s husband, who she married in March 1965. Their first home was in Crayford, Kent and Val often told the story of how Al had to camp out to get first option to buy the house, which I’m sure those of a certain age will remember. They moved to Oxhill in 1978.

Al died in 1998 and Val carried on her District Nursing career in South Warwickshire until she retired. Val and Al loved to travel and it was still something Val liked to do. In 2011 she spent two months in Australia with her dear friends Geri and John to celebrate her 70th birthday.

She has been a member of the fund raising committee of the PCC for the last twelve years and always gave her support.

All her many friends will have great memories. She touched so many people with her kindness and her sense of humour. She was very highly thought of by everyone that knew her. There is a little story I would like to tell of Val when she left the NHS and for ten years was employed as Welfare and Personnel Officer for an industrial company and when she handed in her resignation the Managing Director wrote to her and a couple of things he said were. “I personally will always think of you whenever I judge the role of Personnel. I ask that you do one thing before you leave us, recruit someone equal to you - impossible I agree, but try!” I think that tells you everything.

Val was a true friend to many. We will miss her.

[Thank you to Gaida Webb for her wonderful words.]

Christmas Lunch - Monday 10th December

The Christmas Lunch for the Senior Citizens from the Village was held on Monday 10 December and followed the usual, successful format of previous years. We had 30 guests to Lunch and in addition to the delicious 3 course meal with wine that was provided we also had some enjoyable entertainment.

We are grateful to the Children from Tysoe School who sang and played Carols & Christmassy songs on a variety of musical instruments.

I would like to thank the following people who, whilst not on the Village Hall Committee, always help out behind the scenes: Sue Robbins, George & Gwyn Adams, David Hill, Anne Marshall, Hugh Rowse and Brian Hobill who donated the delicious gammon. I’d also like to thank Judy Badger for her overseeing the whole event and my colleagues on the Village Hall Committee, who decorated the Hall, cooked food, waited upon tables and generally worked tirelessly to make the day the success that it clearly was.

Derek Harbour

After the retired residents had finished their Christmas lunch at the village hall, the much younger helpers sat down for a well earned meal and drink.

Christmas Lunch

A huge thank you to all the organisers of the over 65s Christmas lunch. Many of you were behind the scenes working on our behalf and we didn’t get the opportunity to tell you how much we appreciated what you did for us. The meal was delicious, the quiz was quizzical [especially one question], the room was festive and the Children better than ever.

What a happy way to spend a Monday lunchtime.

Thank you

Ruth Gibson and other Seniors!

Kineton Oil Consortium

The Kineton Oil Consortium will be ordering oil again in January.

Please let me have your oil needs, not later than 6pm on Tuesday, January 8th 2013.

Thank you. Diane Harper 01295 680529

Village Hall Events

Forthcoming Events

Afternoon Delight – An Afternoon with friends

From 2.00pm to 4.00pm, Thursdays: January 10 & 24

Check Notices for details of what’s happening or call Tricia Harbour on 680676

Burns Night Celebration – Saturday, 26 January, 2013

Following the successes of previous years we are staging another Burns Night celebration on Saturday, 26 January, 2013. The evening will be a traditional event with Haggis (Vegetarian alternative available), Tatties and Neeps and a wee dram to keep out the cold. Our talented Scots from the Village will be on hand to recall and toast the life of Rabbie Burns, ‘address’ the Haggis and entertain us.

The evening will start at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm Dinner

The evening is a sell-out and Tricia Harbour will be collecting money (£12.50 per person) in January from those people who have requested tickets. We will have a waiting list in case of cancellations through sickness, etc and if you want to go on the list, please call Tricia on 680676.

Upton House Talk – Friday, 22 February, 2013

We are fortunate to have a talk from representatives of the National Trust on the history of Upton House on Friday, 22^ndof February. Doors will open at 7.30pm. Tickets will cost £3 each and a range of refreshments will be available to purchase.

Please call Gaynor van Dijk on 680349 for tickets.

Vicarage Notes

Newsflash - English Heritage Grant

I have just received notification that St. Lawrence’s has been offered £9,000 towards the estimated £12,000 of stage 1 (the exploratory work and conservation reports stage) of the proposed repairs to the roof and stonework, and also, a grant in principle of £59,000 towards the estimated £92,000 cost of the actual repair work scheduled for 2014.

The P.C.C. has to confirm acceptance in January. It would then need to embark on fundraising and approaching the many grant making bodies to raise the remaining money.

The hugely successful auction raised £4,000! We also have some reserves to put towards this work, so I’m confident that the project is manageable if the wider community is supportive. The P.C.C. would value your comments by Jan.10^th, which can be sent to me, the wardens or any PCC member.

The English Heritage architect wrote “St.Lawrence’s is one of the most attractive churches in the Midlands” and fully supported our hope to conserve the building for future generations, noting specially the grade 1 listing of the splendid carving on the south side of the building.

DO LET US KNOW IF YOU WILL BACK THE PROJECT

Scarecrow Weekend

I am pleased to write that we hope to have another of the wonderful Oxhill Scarecrow Weekends again – please book June 16^th and 17^th in your diaries. Lilian Welsby has offered to help co-ordinate things, but we shall need extra folk to take on more responsibility for various tasks. Once again – all hands to the pump!

Church Service Times

St. Lawrence Oxhill

All are warmly invited to our services

Sunday 6th - Epiphany
9:30 a.m. Holy Communion (ML)

Sunday 13th - Epiphany I
9:30 a.m. Sunday Praise (BR)

Sunday 20th - Epiphany II
9:30 a.m. Parish Communion (ML)

Sunday 27th - Septuagesima
9:30 a.m. Family Service (NM)

For details of other services in the Benefice please see the list in Church or telephone the clergy.

Funerals:

Remembered with thanksgiving -

December 18th Peter Simcox, aged 68

Vicarage Notes

It all sounds like a busy – but enjoyable - year ahead, may I simply wish everyone a happy New Year!

Best wishes and God bless,

Nicholas Morgan
01608 685230

Deanery News

The nextDeanery Synodwill be on Tuesday, 5^thFebruary, 2013, at 7.30pm at St. Edmund’s Church. Shipston. We will be looking at the ways in which churches across the Deanery are Transforming their Communities, and also hopefully receive a report of the General Synod in November.

Lent begins a little earlier this year than last: Shrove Tuesday is 12^thFebruary, and Ash Wednesday is 13^thFebruary. OurLent Series of Services across the Deanerywill therefore begin the week after. This year we are following the York Course ‘Glimpses of God’. The booklet that accompanies it was written by David Winter: not only do we have copies of the booklet available (£3.99) for those who would like to use it in house groups, David Winter himself is coming to give the opening address. Dates and places are as follows: all services are on Tuesdays at 7.30pm

February 19^th- Tysoe
The God who hears our cry

Feburary 26^th- Halford
The shepherd who guards and guides his people

March 5^th - Sutton-u-Brailes
The Son, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

March 12^th - Burmington
The God who shares our pain

March 19^th- Idlicote
The God who calms our fears.

March 26^th - Ilmington
Deanery Eucharist for Holy Week

May we all rejoice in the gift of this New Year.

Blessing, Jill

In Memoriam

Peter Simcox of 3 Peacock Cottages, died suddenly on December 4th.

Much missed husband to Hilary, Father to Charlotte, James and Katy and Grandfather to Isobella, Thomas and Harry.

Important Information from your

Should you have a medical emergency you should ring 999.

We as community Responders are not always available and on duty.

If we are on duty Ambulance control will contact us and we shall be sent.

We hope you will not need us and you all have a very happy

Christmas and New Year.

Mick / Barbara Shepard

3, The Leys,
Oxhill.

viper@viperrecovery.co.uk

Welcome ...

... to Andrew Stewart and Andrea Taylor

We would like to warmly welcome Andrew and Andrea who have recently moved into The Sett. Andrew is Gill Taylor's son, who herself along with Roger Goodman, are recent arrivals in Oxhill.

It seems the must be doing some thing right if our residents are recruiting friends and family! Or perhaps it is as Gill says: "I think they're hoping I'll walk the dog for them!"

At the Peacock

Quiz Night

Quiz night on Sunday 6th January at 8pm

Village Events

The village coffee morning is on Wednesday 2nd January at 10:30am and the village lunch is on Wednesday 16th January.

Postal Scam

This is one of the most deceptive scams I have ever heard of as well as one that I think is very easy to fall victim to. This is the email I received:

SCAM ALERT

Can you circulate this around especially as Xmas is fast approaching - it has been confirmed by Royal Mail. The Trading Standards Office are making people aware of the following scam:

A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a Premium rate number).

DO NOT call this number, as this is a mail scam originating from Belize .

If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will already have been billed£315for the phone call.

If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal Mail Fraud on 020 7239 6655.

For more information, see the Crime Stoppers website:

http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/crime-prevention/helping-prevent-crime/scams

Horse Riders in and around Oxhill

Please, please, please if you are hacking out on country lanes, make sure either you or your horse or both are wearing some sort of fluorescent wear.

This winter low light ( and in my opinion) even in high summer, if you are in a dark coat, on ANY colour of horse, it can be difficult to see you until very close.

I am NOT some interfering old biddy with too much time on her hands, but an experienced horse woman who is hoping to avoid a terrible accident on our roads.

Another point.... did you know that some Equine Insurers will not pay out, in the event of an accident on the road, if you are NOT wearing fluorescents.

Thank you

Hilary Simcox

British Dressage Listed Judge.

WOT2Grow Community Orchard

Finally the weather has put paid to the raspberry harvest! The last picking was at the end of November and completed a magnificent harvest of 160kg of fruit. The weather obviously played a part as it was so wet and we did not have to water but as half the canes were first year plantings we hope to have even more next summer.

The AGM was held in November and was well attended by members and supporters. We had a change of chairman as Derek Harbour wished to stand down and Mike Sanderson has taken his place. Also Pam Bennett agreed to become a member of the team that oversees and co-ordinates the day to day activities at the orchard.

The orchard has yet again been transformed! On a beautiful sunny but cold Saturday in early December an amazing 96 trees were planted by seventeen enthusiastic members and supporters. It was a fantastic turnout and having previously dug all the holes the actual planting was much quicker this year. Following an excellent demonstration by John Edgeley of all the stages in tree planting, which we captured on video, a production line was started to root prune, top prune and soak the tree roots prior to teams actually planting. We actually used the water stored in the butts for the first time this year! This completes the planned tree planting at the orchard but we have plans for all sorts of other things at the orchard.

John Edgeley will also be with us on Saturday 9th February to teach us about pruning all the trees, canes and bushes. This really is a not to be missed event for anyone unsure about caring for the fruit in their own gardens. Everyone is welcome to come along to these sessions and learn from a real expert who is a fantastic teacher. Look out for posters giving details.

A Happy New Year to everyone from the Directors and Team at your Community Orchard!!

Check out your orchard atwww.wot2grow.co.uk

Find us off the Shenington Road behind the allotments – entrance gates at the far end of the allotments.

If you would like more details please contact one of the following who are co-ordinating the community involvement

Liz Atkinson (680045), Paul Sayer (680451), Derek Harbour (680676), Sue and Mike Sanderson (688080), Graham Collier (680127), Julia Stirman (01608 686776)

Gardening for Wildlife and Biodiversity

KarlCurtis from Warwickshire Wildlife Trust has kindly agreed to give us a talk on Gardening for Wildlife and Biodiversity. It will take place on January 22nd at 8.00pm in Oxhill village hall and will be a great opportunity to get the lowdown on how to succeed in the forthcoming Owls wildflower growing competition. For further information please contact Gren (680664) or any of the Owls team.

Knit and Natter Group

Thank you so much to all the ladies of this group from Oxhill and the surrounding villages and all the others who have knitted for us. So far I have sent four parcels to the Greenfields Africa charity. We have sent thirty six jumpers and hats and many pairs of babies’ booties. These will all have been sent out by now and Barbara Hatton and her husband will be out in Uganda to distribute these baby clothes to where they are needed. They still need hats and booties and blankets for their charity. Perhaps we can do more in the New Year.

Thank you again for all your contributions,

Joyce McKail

Shipston Home Nursing

Hospice at Home in Shipston, Wellesbourne & Kineton

We are a local charity that has been operating for 15 years, we look after terminally ill people in their homes run by a team of qualified nurses specialising in palliative care. We look after the patient and their family for the last 3 months of life. Our service covers Shipston, Wellesbourne, Kineton and the surrounding villages. Our service is completely free of charge and therefore we have to raise £150,000 a year to cover nursing costs.

Here is a list of our events coming up in January.

Event:Zumbathon
Date:Saturday January 12^th2013
Time:10.00-1pm
Venue:Sheldon Bosley Hub, Shipston on Stour
Info:£8.00 entry – A 3 hour fun packed session of Zumba mania hosted by local Shipston Zumba Team Debbie Birch and Rachel Tame

Event:Health and Complimentary therapies Day hosted by Soulstream Arts
Date:Saturday 19^thJanuary
Time:10-4pm Therapists available 6pm onwards Author Talk reading/book signing plus champagne and canapés
Venue:SoulStream HQ,Burmington House, Burmington Shipston on Stour Warwickshire CV36 5AF

Info:A two part Therapies day taking place at this new creative Arts Retreat on the outskirts of the Cotswolds. £20.00 per ticket. For more information callm.07769654445 h.01608 6649972 orgo to Soulstreamarts.com

Event: BITE– Dinner at Cotswold House Hotel with Greg Wallace
Date:27^th January 2013
Time:7 for 7.30pm
Venue:Cotswold House Hotel
Info:Cost £75.00 (price of event includes £10 donation to SHN) for more information please go to

Neighbourhood Police Alert

The SNT would like to make you aware that the theft of heating fuel and diesel from plant vehicles is on the rise. We understand that it is so expensive to replace and you may feel it is not worth reporting the crime as it is hard to trace etc.

We would like to encourage you all to report it, regardless how minor you may think it might be. It will also allow us to build up a bigger picture of the types of issues we are having in the Shipston area and if the team doesn't know, then we cant help.

You can report any crimes on the non emergency number, 101.

Thank you.

Kind Regards

PCSO 6234 Hayley Ditchburn BA (Hons)
Shipston Safer Neighbourhood Team
Warwickshire Police
Shipston Police Station
Tel: 01789 444 673
Extension: 4673
Mobile: 07879 608 696
Voicemail: 16234
Email: hayley.ditchburn@warwickshire.pnn.police.uk

Accident and Medical Emergencies

Time is critical in medical emergencies and so in order to ensure we attend as quickly as possible

First Call - 999

Then Call

Ambulance Responders

Mick & Barbara Shepard

07977149317 Mobile / 01295680644 Home

3, The Leys, Oxhill, Warwick, CV350QX