BALDONS PARISH NEWSLETTER

DECEMBER 2005 & JANUARY 2006

The Baldon Events Committee ?

 Fireworks and Fun Fair

It?s hard not to conclude that the whole day was a resounding success. In all we made a profit of £2,103.25, of which £1,200 will be carried over for the fireworks, food and drink for next year.  There will be a balance remaining and the committee have agreed to support the Junior Baldon Players with £300 which, following the Summer success of Bugsy Malone, will allow the organisers to buy costumes, props and, most importantly, play royalties for the forth-coming production of ?The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe? and also to honour our elder statesmen of the village with a Christmas Lunch and wine for the pensioners at the Seven Stars which will probably be about £400.  The residue will be used to buy lighting equipment for next November 5^th as it was much needed.

As some may realise the stewards were a little overwhelmed by the numbers of vehicles and if anyone can volunteer to help next year acting as stewards either for car parking directions or as ?crowd control? which might be more suitable for a parent with children.  For insurance purposes we need to have 1 steward for every 100 people, therefore the ?crowd control? will only involve wearing a yellow waistcoat.

Our resident Doctor was going to be a little overworked if there had been a big accident and therefore if there are any doctors, nurses or first aiders who could offer their services on the night, it would be much appreciated.

The Baldon Events Committee would like to thank all the volunteers and villagers for their support as well as our sponsors of the banners. The Mole Inn, Finders Keepers Ltd. and Countywide Lettings.  We would particularly like to thank Roy and Helen from the Seven Stars for organising the Lottery which raised over £350 and for all their help.  Also Jon?s company ?Bunnyfoot.com? for his printing.  Further sponsorships are available for next year if anyone has any suggestions.

Marsh Baldon Primary School also managed to raise £65 from the sale of glowing necklaces which is going towards the school funds.

We look forward to a great event next year.

Baldon Events Committee

Christmas Lunch

We have invited all pensioners of both Marsh and Toot Baldon to celebrate the Yuletide festivities with a Luncheon at the Seven Stars courtesy of the Baldon Events Committee on the 6^th December. Hopefully all pensioners will have received an invitation to join at 12.30pm for a traditional Christmas Lunch of Turkey with all the trimmings, Christmas Pudding, Mince Pies and a glass of wine with our compliments. There will also be a raffle free of charge to swing you into the festive mood. For further information please contact Sheila Harris on 340403

Funds for this event have come from the Fireworks night.

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Raffle Donations

Does anyone have any suitable raffle prizes to donate for the Christmas Lunch, at this time of giving, to our elder village statesmen (and women to be politically correct!), if so please can these be delivered to Swallows, on the Green (next to the School). These will need to be delivered before the 5^th December so that they can be collated.

Baldons Parish Council News.

Signage in the Croft.

Subsequent to discussions with the Highways Dept in the spring of concerns in the village at the speed and visibility of cars and vehicles in The Croft and the hazards for pedestrians, the Highways dept have now agreed to install improved signage. A new ?road narrows? sign will be installed at the South end of the Croft for north bound traffic  and a SLOW sign painted on the road. A new post will be put at the Toot end of the Croft to replace the existing village sign with an extra sign indicating  ?Pedestrians in the road?,  plus an additional ?road narrows? sign near the village hall  with Slow signs on the road for south bound traffic.

It is hoped the work will be done in a couple of months.

Village school

The council have now considered the planning application for rebuilding the fire damaged school and have indicated our support for this to the Oxfordshire County Council.  Councillors have been as concerned as parents and governors at the delay in reaching this stage but hopefully when planning consent is granted by the County Council things will begin to move ahead. Councillors are also aware of the discussions taking place between the Education Authority,  governors and parents with a view to providing some improvement to the facilities for children which will be the subject of a separate planning application.

Applications granted by SODC

Durham Leys Farm,  conversion of farm barns to two houses.

 Parish Council Budget 2006/7

At this time of the year the council is required to advise SODC of  the budget (the precept)  required for the following financial year. 

This is the money required to pay for the existing facilities and services for which we are responsible and to pay for new initiatives to improve the villages.

In reviewing all the commitments, the impact of inflation, and looking ahead to expenditure for next year, and after careful consideration, the council are recommending an increase of £750 which will equate with an increase of £3.50 per annum based on a band D house.  As this will be a relatively small sum within the overall  council taxes that we pay it is hoped villagers will understand the necessity for it. It is worth noting that Baldons Parish Council precept is low on a per capita basis when compared with other similar sized communities. As usual a full report of the parish finances will be presented at the annual parish meeting in April

Green Belt / OCC Consultation on Housing.

Thanks to everyone who filled in the recent consultation document from Oxfordshire County Council supporting the county councils preferred strategy for housing. In fact although there were almost equal numbers of responses supporting the options for Biscester and Didcot a large number of responses rejected these in favour of asking the OCC to look at alternatives including development in the green belt.  The County Council must now decide on the  final proposals to be put to SEERA in December. In 2006 SEERA are expected to issue their  final draft of the South East Plan which will lead to another period of consultation and an Enquiry in Public .

Date of next meeting

Tuesday 10^th January 2006     7.30pm Village hall

Veronica Strong

It is with deep sadness that I write to say that dear Veronica Strong died peacefully at her home in Morecombelake, Dorset, on 9^th November.

From 1966-81 she was very much a part of our villages, supporting her husband, John, who was the vicar here.  She was a devoted mother to their three children, Robert, Althea and Michael.  Sadly Robert died in a climbing accident in his early 20?s.  She had 6 grandchildren who she loved, and they adored her.

Veronica was always eager to help in any event held in the village and gave much of her time visiting the sick and those less able to get about.  Her home was always open to those who needed comfort or just to have a chat.

In 1981 she and John retired to Dorset, but even then Veronica still carried on helping and caring for people.  She will always be remembered with great love and affection.                     Iris Wright

DORCHESTER TEAM NEWS

Confirmations

In 2006 we shall continue the Dorchester Team pattern of holding a Confirmation on Easter Eve. As usual Bishop Colin will be joining us to confirm our candidates. Some people in the parishes have already expressed an interest in Confirmation. At a confirmation service people make a commitment of belief in the power and love of God and a willingness to live their lives oriented towards that power and love. If you want to know more please speak to your Vicar.