LOCAL AND VILLAGE NEWS Banbury News HERE

HOME

 

HISTORY

 

DIRECTORY

 

LINKS

 

PHOTOS

 

EVENTS

 

CONTACT-FIND US

 

 CROPREDY SCHOOL

 

VILLAGE PLAN

 

LOCATIONS MAP

 
 Oxford Canal and River Cherwell

One or two visitors have expressed their concern that some pages are not being presented correctly on their monitor screen. This may well be because they need to 'refresh' that particular page themselves. If you are having trouble click: Browsing advice. The Webmaster has been receiving several contacts from Senior Silver Surfers requesting help with minor problems on their PC's and he is happy to do what he can - if anyone requires Professional help for more serious problems he can recommend an excellent and caring service based in Banbury. Call 01295 660019 or email me for more information.

VILLAGE PLAN UPDATE The Village Plan has been updated - go directly HERE.
*     *     *     *     *     *     *
VOTING REMINDER

Vote 2010 - make yours count. You need to register every year to vote. If you don’t register you won’t be able to vote in the forthcoming Parliamentary (general) and local elections. Think politics doesn’t affect you? Think again! Your vote affects decisions about your council tax, refuse, recycling and parks - even how long your local pub stays open.Electoral registration officer, Mary Harpley, said: "Being able to vote is a great privilege and something many of our countrymen and women fought long and hard for. By not registering you are denying yourself a voice and could also be losing access to services many of us take for granted. You need to re-register if: a)you have moved house since 15 October 2009 (b) married, or changed your surname. To check if you are on the electoral register, or request an application form please call 01295 227938 or email elections@cherwell-dc.gov.uk. You can also download a form from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk. The last date to be registered in time for the local election, or general election if it is held on 6 May, is 20 April 2010.If you are unable to get to the polling station, you can still vote. You need to register for either:(a) a postal vote. The ballot paper will be sent to the address you specify, but it cannot be sent before 21 April 2010. If you ask us to send the postal vote overseas we cannot guarantee it will reach you in time to return it before the close of poll on 6 May 2010 or (b) a proxy vote. A proxy is when you appoint someone to go to the polling station and vote the way you have instructed them, on your behalf. The deadline to apply for both the above is 5pm on 20 April 2010. For further information and help please contact Cherwell District Council. Phone 01295 227938, email elections@cherwell-dc.gov.uk, or see the website www.cherwell.gov.uk.
               *     *     *     *     *     *     *
POST OFFICE UPDATE
The relocation to within The Perfect Present has now been completed and the facility is up and running. Opening hours: 09.30 - 12.30 and 14.00 to 17.00 on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Closed Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday.
*     *     *     *     *     *     *
Do you remember the wall mural in BROWNS CAKE SHOP?
The Banbury Mural's coming home - it's found a permanent place in Castle Quay where it will be on display from 4 February. Cherwell District Council has been searching for a place to display the mural for a long time, but was unable to find a big enough space - the canvass measures 1.6m high by 8.6m long. Now a suitable wall has been found in the Castle Quay Shopping Centre to display the single canvass painting. The mural was commissioned by Wilfrid Brown, proprietor of the Original Cake Shop in Parsons Street, in 1947. It was created by renowned artist Brian Thomas and illustrates Banbury’s illustrious history. It took pride of place in the Cake Shop and for 20 years the mural was a much-loved attraction. Following the sale of the business, and demolition of the Cake Shop, the Brown family removed and saved it. The Banbury Mural was last displayed in the Castle shopping centre, but was taken down when the centre was extended to become the Castle Quay shopping centre in 2000. Until recently the mural was safely stored in the Museum Resource Centre in Standlake. Cherwell District Council's portfolio holder for environment, recreation and health, Cllr George Reynolds, said: "The council has long wanted to put this magnificent work of art back on display. Now it'll be up where it belongs, adding an extra splash of colour for visitors to Castle Quay." Work will start on installing the mural on 26 January and it will be officially unveiled along with a display panel by Cherwell's Chairman, Cllr Diana Edwards, on 3 February at 6pm.
*     *     *     *     *     *     *

JOB HUNTING?

Cherwell's new guide

tells you what you need

to know

Cherwell District Council, in association with its Job Club partners, has published an essential guide for Cherwell residents who are facing redundancy and looking for job. It offers advice on redundancy, money matters, job hunting, careers, and training. There are all the local contact details for organisations job seekers may need to get in touch with, including information on what to expect from the weekly Job Clubs in Banbury and Bicester. Cherwell residents can get a copy by phoning the Job Club helpline, 01295 221863 or visiting one of the Banbury or Bicester Job Clubs. It can also be downloaded from the Job Club page of Cherwell District Council's website, www.cherwell.gov.uk, by following the job club link on the homepage. Partners such as Banbury and Bicester Citizen's Advice Bureau also have copies of the guide, as well as Cherwell's one stop shops and the libraries. Cllr Norman Bolster, Cherwell's portfolio holder for economic development and estates, said: “This Essential Guide for our residents facing redundancy or looking for a job recognises that people want to have information together in one place. That way they will know what advice and support they can expect, and where they can get it from locally. If you or someone you know could benefit from this guide then call the Job Club helpline today on 01295 221863.”

*     *     *     *     *     *     *
ARE YOU INTERESTED   IN REDUCING YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT?

Carbon Conversations. New group starts in BANBURY January 2010. Six friendly, practical meetings to halve your carbon footprint. “This course is brilliant because it doesn’t preach, and it doesn’t make you feel guilty. It asks stimulating questions, provides clear information and helps you make your own decisions .” Mark, course member. Interested? Telephone Banbury 262975, or e-mail Carbon.Banbury@googlemail.com or find out more at www.cambridgecarbonfootprint.org. Pick up a flyer inside. Introductory Cost for 6 meetings plus the Carbon Conversations Handbook only £20. Dates: 28th January, 11th February, 25th February, 11th March , 25th March, plus one date in April to be agreed. Time:Thursday 7.30 -9.30pm - Place: 28 Bloxham Rd, Banbury OX16 9JN. Enrol: send payment (cheques payable to CCFB) to above. Cambridge Carbon Footprint is a registered charity to help people help each other to change their carbon use. Cambridge Carbon Footprint in Banbury. Jane Orton and Tony Wragg are trained by Cambridge Carbon Footprint to run Carbon Conversations in Banbury. Learn about carbon at home, in travel, in food and in stuff you buy, measure your footprint, discuss the low-carbon future you want, play games about how to cut carbon. Choose actions that fit with your life-style, share hopes, dreams, fears and actions, laugh, cry, drink tea, support each other.
*     *     *     *     *     *     *
TRAFFIC PROMBLEMS FORECASTED
In connection with the flood alleviation scheme, part of the A361 will be closed for engineering works. Traffic problems for Cropredy are forecasted and both the Parish Council and District Councillor, Ken Atack, have made strong representations to ensure that traffic diversions are carefully planned before work on the flood barrier starts. It is not yet known when and for how long this work will extend.
*     *     *     *     *     *     *
EXCESSIVE NOISE
If you have a complaint or enquiry about excessive noise, the telephone number to ring is: 01295 221623 or Mobile 07974 326738 and ask for Mr R. Lowther. Alternatively, residents may write to him at: Bodicote House, or email: rob.lowther@cherwell-dc.gov.uk
*     *     *     *     *     *     *  
WEBMASTER HAS MOVED
The Webmaster has now moved to Aston-Le-Walls, but hopes to return to Cropredy in the not too distant future - see DIRECTORY for new contact details. The email address will remain unaltered. It would be greatly appreciated if anyone wishing to have material posted to the website does not forget to get in touch with their footage at an early stage in advance. A mind reader I am not!
*     *     *     *     *     *     *
MORE FEEDBACK REQUIRED PLEASE  
Feedback as to the content and any suggestions how the site might be improved is very, very welcome and wanted. The Webmaster is not a mind reader and would like to hear more from viewers on a regular basis as to what they would like (or not like) to see. The more information that can be included will go a long way to keep Cropredy in the Public's Eye and to ensure it remains a favourite place to explore for potential newcomers to the area. We have a superb location and the more people we can encourage is to the benefit of all. Why not get in touch with the Webmaster soon?  Telephone 01295 750357 or e-mail: WEBMASTER.
*     *     *     *     *     *     *
NEW LINK FOR RURAL NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING MONTHLY NEWS UPDATE
This is a new addition to be found on the LINKS page, which reports monthly on the Thames Valley Police Neighbourhood Watch activities for the Banbury Rural Area. This includes the PCSO's report on reported misdemeanours in Cropredy, and the action taken - where applicable. Residents are encouraged to make a note of where and how they can contact the relevant authorities, in order to report any offences which they may have noticed. This is essential if this new scheme is to work properly and all communications with the Police will be treated with privacy.
*      *     *     *     *     *     *

CHURCHES SOS

Churches have been the target recently of theft of lead from roofs. These thefts are moving closer to our area, the latest being in Bodicote. We would ask that if you live close to the Church, or are walking or driving in the area, that you please look out for ladders on the outside of the Church, with unknown vans parked in the vicinity. If you do notice anything unusual, please contact the police to let them know. Thefts may, of course, happen at night. There is no work planned to take place on the outside of the building in the near future. Thanks for your help. Regrettably a theft has recently occured and residents are asked to be especially vigilant and note registration number/s of any unusual or strange vehicles parked in Roundbottom adjacent to the entrance of Hell Hole in the late evening or during the night.

Siobhan Croft, on behalf of Cropredy PCC

*     *     *     *     *     *     *
Cropredy Parish Council are considering taking action to combat the continued and growing practice of ILLEGAL parking on pavements at any time of day or night throughout the Village. This nuisance causes serious problems to those using wheelchairs, mobility scooters and mothers with prams and small children. Also unwanted are selfish and arrogant motorists who park and leave their vehicles unattended where they are blocking access to and from footpaths, fire hydrants and obstructing turning points in cul-de-sacs. Please park correctly and sensibly and remind yourself there are other people to be considered when doing so.
*     *     *     *     *     *     *

LATE NIGHT

FIREWORKS

Older residents, and Others who have cats and dogs as pets in their house, are voicing considerable concern about unannounced late night pyrotechnics. The elderly who retire early have their sleep disturbed and most owners of cats and dogs are having to calm their petrified pets when the detonations are taking place. Without wishing to detract from the fun of the fireworks party, organisers should take this into consideration when making arrangements. It would be helpful and courteous if an early warning could be given to householders within 200 metres of when the event is to take place. This could be done by word of mouth, a flyer through the letter box, a notice in the Crier or a few words on this website. The 'fall out' from the spent rockets could also be somewhat injurious and unwanted. Organisers are further reminded that it is illegal to set off fireworks between the hours of 11.00pm and 7.00am.
*     *     *     *     *     *     *
 The contents of the former Mewslade website run by Pam Keegan and her husband Mark, have now been incorporated into the Village website at their request. History of Cropredy compiled and researched by Pam in her lifetime is a fascinating insight into 'everything Cropredy' from 1570 onwards. It can be found by scrolling down the LINKS page or by going directly here: HISTORY.
*     *     *     *     *     *     *
CROPREDY HISTORICAL SOCIETY - 1977 JUBILEE FILM.  A Cine Film depicting Cropredy Village celebrations to mark the Queen's Silver Jubilee has been transferred to DVD and VHS format. Copies are available at £5 each. For details contact Martyn Lester - Tel: 750397.
*     *     *     *     *     *     *
Following the success of Ray Cherry's book "Memories of Cropredy" - purchasers generosity resulted in £700 being sent for M.S. research. Ray has now written a second book "The life of a family of Country Builders and Funeral Directors" and it is on sale for £8.00 at The Bridge Store. Both books are also now available on CD, or hard copy from 01295 750647. Again all Profits to M.S. research.
*     *     *     *     *     *     *
CCTV CAMERAS UP AND RUNNING. The new system of crime detection and prevention, using the latest technology in camera equipment, is now operational at the Sports Field and Tennis Courts. The new installation provides clear identification of vandals and thieves and is acceptable evidence for arrests and court cases.
*     *     *     *     *     *     *
Do you know how to get in touch with the POLICE in non-emergency situations? The end of January 2006 saw 52 old police stations in the Thames Valley area having their current telephone numbers scrapped. Therefore it is now necessary to ring the Central Control Centre on 0845 8 505 505. To quote from the Thames Valley Police Authority's own Website - "this is an improvement to all aspects of the service we provide"..........
*     *     *     *     *     *     *

 

(Return to the top)