Planting on the Pound

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Admin

We made a successful start to clearing the Pound – thank you to our helpers. We now have a Pound Plan of Action

First we want to clear more of the weeds and tidy up a bit more of the tree. To clear the weeds we need to rotavate and remove as many roots as possible.

Is there anyone with a fairly robust rotavator who would be willing to bring it along to use on the Pound please?

The clearing will take time but in the meantime please can we ask you all to think of the Pound when you are doing your autumn garden sort-out. Please can you save us a few duplicate plants or part of a clump you are dividing or some seeds. We are especially looking for perennial geraniums (all colours), foxgloves, hollyhocks, aquilegia, and buddleia but any cottage garden plants that do well here will be welcome. If you can put them to one side – perhaps pot them up – and keep them for us we will let you know when we need them. Thank you. Most will be planted towards the back of the area with a wild flower area planted in the middle and a bed along the front for the perennial geraniums. The idea is to be low-maintenance and wild-life friendly

If you can help with the rotavator please contact either Janet Haylett familyhaylett@yahoo.comor 407382 or Rose Gill. Thank you

Posted in Parish Council, Wittenham Vision | Tagged | 1 Comment

Temporary Road Closure – Clifton Hampden Bridge

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Admin

A temporary road closure has been arranged to apply to Clifton Hampden Bridge whilst traffic signal maintenance works are carried out. The temporary closure and will operate from 7pm to 9pm on Monday 7 October 2013. Notice of intention to make the Order will be published in the local press.

Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles, the works and those residents within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works.

If you require further information or have any queries please contact Mike Best at Oxfordshire County Council on 0845 310 11 11.

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Party in the Paddock

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Admin

LongWittenham.com finds out all about it from Sally Duff

Party in the Paddock, this is a new event for the village, tell me about it.

This year the Wittenham Warriors are entering two teams in the Abingdon Dragon Boat racing on Sept 8th. Some teams raise their entry fees by asking family and friends for sponsorship.

But the philosophy behind the Warriors has always been that we’d rather raise funds for charities by putting on an event that can be enjoyed by donors.

The first tranche of funding was raised by the Al Fresco Safari Supper. That money has gone to the Rotary Club for their good causes. We like to be able to support charities that are close to the interests of the village and so we needed another ‘big’ event to raise ‘big’ funds.

But why a Party in the Paddock?

The inspiration was really the Jubilee Street party. It brought the whole village together, everyone was welcome and got involved if they wished to. It’ll be a long time before there is another Jubilee so why not just have a Village party!

What will the format be?

We’re keeping it quite simple as this is the first one. On stage we will have six bands, so there should be something for everyone. The bands all have a local connection and are all playing for free as the proceeds are going to local charities. We’ll be selling beer, soft drinks and burgers but we hope people will bring along a picnic and their own chairs etc. And Partygoers who pre-book can bring along their own Gazebos if they are concerned about the weather.

Is poor weather a worry?

Not really; these days people of all ages attend festivals regardless of the weather and some of the best open-air National Trust concerts have been when the heavens open and people bop and boogie even harder.

What about facilities?

Our Events licence requires us to limit attendance to 500 people; we will have loos on site, first aid facilities and plenty of marshals to ensure everyone enjoys themselves in a safe environment.

What makes you think it’ll succeed?

Wittenham Warriors has a good track record of making a success of their events, perhaps the best-attended is the annual Bonfire Party which now attracts 300-400 each year.

And who will benefit this time?

About 10 charities were nominated by those involved with the Dragon Boat event, they were then asked to select their top three and Partygoers will get to choose how the proceeds are split between these three.

And they are?

They were all very worthy causes, however the three chosen are Young Dementia UK, Footsteps & Clifton Hampden & Burcot Scout Group.

It’s sounds as though its going to be a fun filled family evening, we can’t wait!

For tickets contact Sally Duff 407788 or email richsal2000@yahoo.co.uk

Posted in What's On | 2 Comments

Northfield Lane

Posted on May 4, 2013 by Admin

We are asking for residents to complete an evidence form, to apply to formally change the status of Northfield Lane from a footpath to a bridleway, to allow continued use of the lane by cyclists and horse riders, as well as pedestrians.

For more than 20 years the lane has been used by walkers, runners, horse riders and cyclists, despite it only being officially classified as a footpath by Oxfordshire County Council. Until recently no one had challenged the use of the lane by the above users.

To achieve the change in status, the Parish Council needs to get over 20 residents to give evidence supporting the claim that the lane has been used by cyclists and horse riders for more than 20 years with no complaints. We are aware that in 2012 after the resurfacing of the top end of the lane there were attempts to enforce the lane as a footpath, but we believe that for over 20 years before that no one had challenged use of the lane by horses or cycles.

To ensure continued access rights for cyclists and horse riders, please request and complete an evidence form, and if you know anyone else who would have knowledge of the historic use of the lane please do ask me for another form.

Please return completed forms before the 24th April, when we will have a meeting of interested residents in the village hall at 8pm which is open to anyone to attend. We will also be discussing a community effort to fund improvements to the condition of the lane, which is currently unacceptable and dangerous.

Thanks in advance for your support

Tom Bowtell

Chairman, Long Wittenham Parish Council

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Charity Opera

Posted on March 23, 2013 by Admin

On Saturday 27 April, the Friends of St Mary’s Church at Long Wittenham will be presenting a concert by Charity Opera who will be singing

  • a selection of well known classical opera,
  • some Gilbert & Sullivan or lighter operetta pieces,
  • and some songs from the shows

The concert starts at 7.30pm in St  Mary’s Church.

Tickets :- £10.00 (£9.00 for “Friends”), Children (12-16) £4.00 which include a glass of refreshments can be obtained  from: –

  • Jeremy Croxson  407806
  • David Haylett      407382
  • Ruth McCreight  407958

 

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Learn to save a life

Posted on February 17, 2013 by Admin

If someone collapses in the street or in your home -would you know what to do?

Learning basic essential lifesaving skills could mean the difference between a person staying alive and a terrible tragedy.

This an invitation to any Long Wittenham resident who wants to learn basic first aid at a St John Ambulance Essential First Aid Course to be held in the Village Hall on Saturday 9th March at 10.00 am.

The 3-hour course which covers all the essential techniques – including CPR as seen in the Staying Alive TV ads – usually costs £30 but there are local funds left over from the village defibrillator fund-raising campaign by the local Heartbeats charity to reduce the cost to £15. There are only 12 places available on the course and they will be booked on a first-come-first-served basis. Fees are payable at the time of booking.

If there is sufficient demand we will try to arrange another course later in the year.

For more details and to book a place – please contact Beth or Crispin on 01865 408011; email crispinevans@gmail.com; or call at 36 Fieldside, Long Wittenham.

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Speed awareness in Long Wittenham

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Admin

As part of its efforts to slow traffic passing through the village, the Parish Council now has some speed awareness stickers for sticking to wheelie bins.

These stickers are a great visual reminder to motorists to drive safely, and stick to the speed limit along the roads passing through the village. It is believed that temporary signs like these have a greater effect than more permanent signs.

So on bin collection day, help us to keep speed down in Long Wittenham by putting a couple of stickers on your wheelie bins!

We only have a limited supply of stickers so, initially have to limit them to two per household. To order your stickers, please complete the form below.

We will pop the stickers through your door in the next couple of weeks.

 

 

 

 

 

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Christmas Tree Recyling

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Admin

In conjunction with South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC), Long Wittenham Parish Council have arranged for a local recycling scheme for your Christmas Tree at Bodkins Field, off Northfield Lane. An area will be cordoned off for you to leave your tree close to the children’s play area. SODC have arranged the trees to be collected on the 11th January, so please leave your tree before this date. Please only leave trees within the cordoned off area. Thanks to Long Wittenham Athletic Football Club for their support with this project.

Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2013!

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A New Start – The next generation at the Plough Inn

Posted on November 4, 2012 by Admin

After 20 years under the management of the Browns, The Plough Inn, your local village pub, will be under the ownership of the Carberry’s.

From 13th November 2012 in your local pub, you will find Liam Carberry as the new landlord. Liam is looking forward to creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere offering local ales and fresh traditional food for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Opening Event Invitation from Liam

On Saturday 17th November at 7pm

I would like to welcome you to an opening event to introduce myself but most of all – get to know you.

If you are a regular or if you haven’t been to the pub in a while – I want to welcome you for a free glass of bubbly, nibbles and a little music to celebrate this special occasion.

Posted in What's On | Tagged | 7 Comments

Could you edit Wittenham Ways?

Posted on October 20, 2012 by Admin

Due to pressures of work, Anne Byard is stepping down as editor of Wittenham Ways after the December edition this year. If there is anyone in the village who would like to take on the role of Editor, she will give them her fullest support.

Wittenham Ways is compiled in Microsoft Publisher and the printing is handled electronically via the internet.

If you’re interested, please email Anne at wittways@longwittenham.com

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