It is with some sorrow that we say farewell to Peter and Juliet Gardiner who left the village on 20^th August after  living in Upton for 17 years.

During their time in the village we have been greatly indebted for the way they have helped to look after the environment and the many other ways in which they have contributed to village life.

Peter was one the original instigators and has always been chief reading organiser behind the supper and readings evenings that have been an enjoyable part of the social life of the village.

Juliet assumed the role of village historian and has researched and compiled a large amount of information on the history of this village up to about 1900. This information is being retained in the village and will be catalogued and stored such that we, and future generations, will be able to use it as a reference thanks to Juliet’s dedicated work.

For many years Peter and Juliet were our Parish Transport Representatives regularly travelling by bus to the meetings in Oxford to fight to retain our bus service and to put our point of view on other transport issues affecting this parish.

Another area where we will miss their presence is in their tireless work over many years in keeping our village roads and footpaths free of litter. If you met then out walking the chances were that they had their litter-picking sticks and small rubbish sack and were picking up any litter that they saw on their walk.

In my early days as a parish councillor Peter and Juliet were the only parishioners to regular attend the meetings. There input in so many areas was invaluable as they were always out walking around the parish or using the local buses noting the little things that needed councillor’s input and generally keeping the council on it’s toes. Even in the latter years when unfortunately Juliet has not been able to walk very far I still got the odd note through the door advising me of fly-tipping or some other area of the parish that needed some attention, a service that I appreciated and will miss in the future.

Peter and Juliet we thank you for your contribution to the village, our best wishes go with you and hope that you will enjoy your new life just along the road in Goring.

Mike Brown

Contracts have been exchanged for the sale of Winterset and on our purchase in West Wales and on the 25 May we moved to Pentregwine Fawr, Llandygwydd, Cardigan, Ceredigion, SA43 2QY.

There is no doubt Upton is a very special place to live with a wonderful community & we have enjoyed our 20 years here. We will certainly miss so many friends and activities in Upton and neighbouring villages but feel if we don’t go for this move now we never will We look forward to having some land & stables to have our horses on site and to a new challenge!

Wishing everyone in Upton all the very best

Geoff & Celia Summers

So, we have had to say farewell to Ceilo and Bill for the second time, and it will be sad to see them leave, together with their children Gavin and Laura.

Their hard work turned the George around and made it once again a most pleasant place to visit, knowing you would always be made most welcome. They, together with their bar staff and those in the kitchen have made the pub such a happy place to spend time in, and they all will be most sadly missed.

We shall also miss Bill’s culinary skills, especially his Thai curries and specials; he leaves a standard which will be hard to follow.

We therefore wish them all a most successful future in whatever they turn their hands to and hope they will return to visit Upton from time to time.

However, we must now welcome the new tenants and hope they have an enjoyable and well supported residence at the George & Dragon.

Brian Arnold

As you may or may not have noticed, I moved out of Mouse House, Station Road on 30th November. It was a great wrench after 51 years, and I’m afraid I rather avoided making what would have been emotional farewells.

I hope to move to Lymington in Hampshire at the end of January, but am temporarily living in Chillton, so I’m sure to bump into many of you while out and about.

I would like to express my gratitude to Upton and its inhabitants for giving me such a good place to live for so long. No doubt I shall be able to hear all your news as it happens!

Once again, thank you all, especially those who constantly work so untiringly to make Upton what it is.

My very best wishes to you from Gill Bishop

Andrew and Marion Temple retire to the Lake District

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