Parish Newsletter Dec 08 - Jan 09

Berinsfield Vicarage, December 2008

Dear Friends,

Nearly Christmas - are you ready? I don't expect many of us are. Not ready to

celebrate and no time to think about what it's all about. So just some thoughts about

how to enjoy all the Christmas glitz and fit in some reflection at the same time.

See those Christmas trees with their tinsel and fairy lights - imagine a dark sky over

Bethlehem with glittering stars overhead. Remember those in Bethlehem today

gazing at that sky but having trouble visiting relatives because of the huge wall that

surrounds them and say a prayer.

See those Christmas cards to write and some dropping on the mat already. Imagine

angels bringing messages of love and peace to you from God. Remember those who

don't have our freedom, those in Southern India who dare not admit they are

Christian. Remember those in Zimbabwe who don't know if there will be enough

food to keep them alive until Christmas and say a prayer.

See Father Christmas with his reindeer towing him across the sky with sleigh piled

high - imagine another journey, a donkey and two tired travellers, Joseph and Mary

heading for Bethlehem. Remember those you know who will be too tired or too sad

to enjoy Christmas this year and say a prayer.

Then see your presents, your family, your home, your food, your friends and really

take time to enjoy them all. I look forward to seeing you at one of the Christmas

services and gazing at the tiny baby in the bed of hay, the one that is the cause of all

this celebration.

Wishing you all a happy and joy filled Christmas,

Ros

Rev. Ros Latham. Team Vicar for the Baldons and Nuneham Courtenay

e-mail: bbdparishoffice@googlemail.com and tel: 01865 340460

Thursdays 4th December & 8th January 8.00am. Lasting half an hour, this is an

opportunity to pray for the concerns of our Church, the world and our Community.

Information about all the services in the Baldons and the surrounding area can be

found at www.achurchnearyou.com.

Saturday 6th December is our CHRISTMAS FAIR being held in our school hall.

There will be lots of stalls and games along with teas, coffees and other refreshments

including mulled wine. Attractions include a visit to Father Christmas in his grotto!

It's a good chance to pick up those Christmas presents without the hassle of shops!!!

Please come and join us!! 11.30am - 2.30pm

Christmas is always an exciting time for children. We have a number of

performances planned to which everyone in the village is welcome.

Juniors Production of ‘Joseph' Monday 1 December 2.00pm

Thursday 4 December 6.30pm

Infants Nativity and Carols Friday 12 December 9.15am

The children also have a visit to Oxford Playhouse to see the Pantomine ‘Sleeping

Beauty'.

It is continuing to be a very busy time here at school. Some children in Years 5 and 6

have recently been successful in passing their cycling proficiency tests. Also, every

class has been out on an Autumn walk. These have taken place in and around Marsh

Baldon and have given the children the chance of exploring their local area and also

to see what is happening in nature at this time of year. Winter walks are planned for

January. We have also recently received a visit from the Oxfordshire Fire and

Rescue Service which the children always enjoy.

We do have a vacancy for a school cleaner. If you are interested, please call at the

school office for further details.

Finally, may I, on behalf of the children, staff and everyone at the school, wish all

villagers a very happy Christmas and a peaceful 2009.

Nick Pitson - Headteacher

Social and Get Together for the Three Villages: Saturday 6th December 6pm - 9pm

Mulled wine, seasonal refreshments and various attractions - see November

newsletter for full details. All ages welcome. Entry Free.

Christmas Bingo: Friday December 13th - Doors open 7-30pm - Eyes Down 8pm

Refreshments and Raffle

parks will be free, from midday onwards, every Saturday up until Christmas day.

The maximum stay will still apply but there will be no necessity to buy a ticket.

planning rules mean that in many circumstances you can now carry out minor

extensions and alterations to your home without the need to apply to the District

Council for formal planning permission. The new rules should support people's

aspirations to improve their homes, while retaining safeguards on noise and size to

protect neighbours. However, exceptions apply, including Conservation Areas,

where there are some tighter controls. Building regulations will also still apply.

Further information can be obtained from SODC's planning and building control

department, by contacting a Planning Enquiry Officer on 01491 823272 / 823663, or

at www.planningportal.gov.uk/uploads/hhg/houseguide.html

called My South Oxfordshire. which aims to facilitate access to all District Council

information pertaining to any one property and its immediate area, giving an

overview of the planning history, flagging up if it is a Conservation Areas or has

listed building status as well as information on the council services available there.

fighting the proposal to build on this site and continues to maintain that this housing

is best placed in the County Towns and on the Brown Field Sites within the City.

However, Central Government and the City Council appear to be intent on carrying

out this proposal. Hazel Blears - the Secretary of State - is due to publish the South

East Plan in the New Year but she has already stated that she wants a review of the

Green Belt to the south of Oxford. We will do all in our power to prevent this.

On a personal note I still feel passionately that this is the wrong solution, it is driven

by avarice rather than logic. It is contrary to a long term Planning Policy which has

been one of growth restriction of Oxford City itself and this has successfully

protected this unique and beautiful City and its setting - our villages being an integral

part of that setting - from urban sprawl and coalescence. Oxford's medieval

architecture is completely incompatible with Infrastructure growth. I do believe that

we have a responsibility to posterity to protect this historic City.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy Christmas and a good

2009 and to say that if there is any way I can help please do not to hesitate to contact

me.

Elizabeth Gillespie

Village Transport

Arising out of the discussions taking place with villagers about the parish plan has

arisen a request by some elderly residents for the village to consider providing a

voluntary transport scheme. For those who are unable to drive getting to a doctors

appointment, collecting prescriptions or visiting hospital can be a problem as family

members are not always available. Many villages in South Oxfordshire have a local

voluntary transport scheme and although the need in the Baldons may not be very

great, and perhaps more occasional than regular, if we could do something it would

make a difference.

It needs someone to come forward and initially look into the feasibility of it. Are you

that person? Can you help? The Oxfordshire Rural Community Council has a

community transport advisor who could provide information and support.

If you can help please speak to the Chairman or one of the Parish Councillors.

Household Waste Collection

South Oxfordshire District Council has recently provided some advance information

on their new waste collection arrangements which are likely to be introduced in June

2009. Their aim is to increase recycling and reduce waste going into land fill.

The new arrangements are expected to include...

• Weekly separate food collection in kerbside bins.
• Fortnightly collection of recyclables including glass.
• Fortnightly residual waste collection in wheeled bins.
• Fortnightly garden waste collection in wheeled bins, continuing the charged

service as now.

More information on the service and the types and size of bins will be announced in

due course but SODC will want to identify any households which may have difficulty

with storage.

Christmas Refuse Collection

Monday collection will be as normal on 22nd Dec, 29th Dec and 5th Jan.

Items for the February 2009 newsletter, by 16th January please, to Natasha Eliot:

tashaandjames@btopenworld.com. Alternatively I can be contacted on 340562 or at

The Barn House, Baldon House East, Marsh Baldon.

For advertising queries, please contact Sheila Harris on: s.harris886@btinternet.com

or on 340403.

Bolivia, and who have a link with the Baldons' church and school, will be here on

Thursday 4th December, at midday.

After spending time in the school they will be at an open house for lunch with Peter

and Nicola Barclay-Watt where they will talk about their work in the nursery schools

and with ‘Freehands'. Freehands supports ladies who are looking for employment as

they come out of prison. If you are able to join us for a light lunch at Dulnain to hear

Thank you to everyone who gave so generously to the Poppy Appeal this year. In

spite of the credit crunch we raised £747.93 - a fantastic amount. This money will

help many service men and women who may need the help of the British Legion.

Also my thanks to the collectors, especially Connie Barrett, who after many years

selling poppies is now having a well earned rest.

Next year we need more people to sell poppies so if you can help please contact me

on 343318. Thank you.

Iris Wright

Aunt Sally is played by players throwing batons at a wooden skittle known as a doll.

Aunt Sally is one of those pub games which is played only in a very confined locale

and hardly at all outside of this area. In this case, despite being restricted only to pubs

in and around Oxfordshire Aunt Sally is a very popular game indeed which is taken

very seriously by regulars and there are numerous leagues of some longevity.

Anyone interested in forming a team, or just for the fun of it, please contact Sean at

the Seven Stars. We need about a dozen persons interested. Should there be enough

he will then coordinate the arrangements to have some sort of regularity and if things

go well consider outside competition or even a league.

WOW! Bingo night was a huge success last Friday! We hope you all enjoyed it!

Loads of sweets and cash prizes were won! Thank you very much to Ken Hall for

making this possible by running the whole evening.

There are only two more Youth Clubs left this term. The next one will take place on

21st of November and there will be a break dance workshop. Hope to see you then!

Lyla Schillinger - On behalf of the Youth Club

Following the success of City of Angels the Baldon Players are now looking towards

our next productions.

Once again we are spending Tuesday nights reading through playscripts, as much for

the enjoyment of exploring plays as thinking about which play to perform next. As

ever we welcome anyone along - whether you want to join in a play or not the play

readings are a convivial occasion. We can be found in the back room of the Seven

Stars on a Tuesday night from 8pm.

The younger people of the various villages around the area are also putting together

their first play for a while after the success of Monkey! The play is Skellig, adapted

from the much-loved book by David Almond. Parts have now been cast and

rehearsals have just commenced. The play will be put on in March 2009 in Nuneham

Courtenay Village Hall. The performance is being co-directed by Lizie Giraudeau

and Jane George - so expect an interesting and unusual treatment.

And finally a personal note of thanks to all those who contributed to the bucket

collection for Pegasus Theatre after the City of Angels shows. I was able to hand

over a cheque for £100 towards their ‘Building the Future' campaign.

Colin George

Casa Priscarosa, Praia da Salema, Algarve

Available for letting - 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms, pool, child friendly, 5 minutes walk from sea (blue

flag), 5 minutes drive to all sporting activities.

Our "changeover day" is normally Saturday but other days can be considered.

Please refer to the website for the 2009 prices (10% discount to Baldoners) (www.casapriscarosa.com

or www.ownersdirect.com (ref. p257))

Rosanne Anggard, Penns, 4 Marsh Baldon. 01865 343256 or 07831 887225

At this time of year we read and sing of the

‘little town' at the heart of the story of

Jesus' birth. At that time Bethlehem was

under the occupation of the Romans but

what about now? What is it like to be

living in Bethlehem today? Has anything

really changed 2000 years on?

In August this year a number of us went with Marcus and Mary Braybrooke on a trip

to the Holy Land. Our guide was a Palestinian Christian from Beit Sahour (the

Shepherd's Fields) and the day we spent in the Bethlehem area hearing from him and

others about what life is really like for their communities gave us an insight which we

would like to share during this Christmas season when all our thoughts turn to that

part of the world.

"With all that is happening in the world, talking about a real comprehensive peace

in our region could seem like a dream .......we are too far from this dream at the

moment. But I have a dream to make peace with ourselves, with our neighbours

and friends, to make Palestine a liveable place for Christians and Muslims despite

all of the challenges. This is possible."

Wisam Salsaa (Christmas 2007)

Therefore at our 6.00pm Service on 4th January we will be reflecting on what it is like

to be living in Bethlehem today. We will have an opportunity to hear some of the

voices of Bethlehem Christians telling of their situation behind the wall, to discuss

the issues and think about our response. Please come and join us for our Service and

afterwards for a glass of wine.

Taize Service - 6pm, 25th January, Dorchester Abbey: One of a series of less formal

services following on from the regular Thursday Taize meetings.

The Taize community in France welcomes thousands of young people from every

part of the world every year to share in their prayers for peace and to worship and

study together. The keynote of life at Taize is simplicity and the music and prayer

that the Brothers practice, often by candlelight, reflects this.

Investing in the future of the Dorchester Team

In 2008 the Dorchester Team celebrated its 30th Birthday and for us this opportunity

marks a new stage in our life together and offers the opportunity to invest in the

future of ministry here.

In September we had the exciting news that we are to have two curates - Hannah and

David Cleugh - working with us in the Dorchester Team from next June. Training a

curate is both an honour and a responsibility for our clergy and parishes. Part of the

responsibility is to make sure that the curate is housed and their expenses are met.

In sharing with the Diocese the purchase of a house for curates in Berinsfield we seek

to make an important commitment for continuing mission, leadership and pastoral

care that can respond to the present and future needs of the Team. Our ultimate

aspiration is to own the house because this will offer flexibility in determining the

nature of and priority for ministry in the Dorchester Team - for example a Youth

Worker or Pastoral Assistant.

We are fortunate to have raised a substantial proportion of the money required for our

share (with the Diocese) in the capital expenditure on a house in Berinsfield. NOW

we need your help to raise some additional capital and for the running costs of the

project.

Please consider whether you could help, in either of the following ways:

• Regular gift aided amounts (from £5 per month) are sought to meet running

costs.

• A capital contribution to the project may be made to any PCC in the

Dorchester Team. We are looking to raise about £20,000 in this way (that's just

20 people who would commit £1,000 to this vision).

Please contact either Team Clergy or PCC Secretaries for details of the ways in

which you can help.

This is always a very special service and a time for everyone to participate.

There will be plenty of congregational singing but if you would like to join the choir

and learn a few special carols, there is still time. Rehearsals are on Thursdays at 7.45

pm in the Church.

We would also welcome help with decorating the Church for the Carol Service (on

Saturday 20th December) and greatly appreciate contributions of mince pies for

refreshments after the service.

Do call Veronica Sandilands on 343478 if you would like to join the choir or can help

with decorating or refreshments.

The more voices the better. It is great fun for all ages, so do come and sing.

If it is a chilly night, a warm welcome and refreshments at Baldon House will soon

cure cold toes!

Erik Anggard

Jocelyn Broderick

Angela Avis

June Hackney and

Veronica Sandilands

Jenny Van Dijk and

Sonia Hobbins

Rosanne Anggard

Ann Druce and

Dorothy Brook

7th December 8.00am Holy Communion Berinsfield

9.30am Children's Service Drayton St Leonard

11.00am Informal Worship Service Berinsfield

14th December 9.30am Holy Communion Drayton St Leonard

6.00pm Holy Communion Berinsfield

19th December 7.30pm Carol Service Drayton St Leonard

21st December 9.30am Holy Communion Drayton St Leonard

11.00am Carol Service Berinsfield

24th December 3.00pm Crib Service Drayton St Leonard

Christmas Eve 5.00pm Crib Service Berinsfield

25th December

Christmas Day

Christmas Eve

28th December 10.30am Team Service Marsh Baldon

4th January 8.00am Holy Communion Berinsfield

9.30am Children's Service Drayton St Leonard

11.00am Informal Worship Service Berinsfield

11th January 9.30am Holy Communion Drayton St Leonard

6.00pm Holy Communion Berinsfield

11.00am Holy Communion Berinsfield

25th January 9.15am Holy Communion Toot Baldon

11.00am Holy Communion Berinsfield

6.00pm Holy Communion Drayton St Leonard

1st February 6.00pm Reflective Communion Toot Baldon