South Oxfordshire
The funds have benefited from two events during November.
– The 1st Upton and Blewbury Brownie Pack contributed £100 which they raised at a coffee evening for parents and friends. This was remarkable effort.
– There was a net surplus from the pantomime Hansel and Gretel of £135.
Contributions this year now total £3606. In addition 45 people have promised to contribute £5555 once we know that building can commence.
Brian Simpson.
As usual, there is bad news and good news.
The Bad News
In May we entered a competition being run by WREN, hoping that our scheme would be selected to win a contribution of £82,000. We succeeded in getting through the first round, when half of the competitors were eliminated, and were then placed in a group of four applicants competing for a prize in this part of the country. Unfortunately, we have since been eliminated at the semi-final stage.
We are now submitting applications for the same amount under other schemes run by WREN and TOE. (These organisations administer the distribution of Landfill Tax funds to worthy causes such as ours.) We hope for decisions by the end of March.
The Good News
1. Two weeks ago the District Council awarded us a grant of up to £9,020. This is conditional on WREN and TOE approving our applications in full.
Councillors were impressed by the fact that 45 households in this village have promised to contribute a total of £5,555 when the scheme goes ahead. This demonstrates Upton’s commitment to the scheme in a remarkable way. It is very helpful to be able to refer to this when applying for grants.
2. We have recently received two cheques for £100 from former residents. Clearly they have happy memories of the years they spent living among us.
3 As stated elsewhere, “Memorable Meals” raised £477. This is the latest of a series of events this year, including the jumble sale and “Open Gardens”, through which a total of £3,427 has been raised.
Brian Simpson.
More good news!
Fundraising to date this year totals £2919 and several people are making preparations for further fund-raising events in the coming months.
40 people/couples (25% of the households in Upton) have now responded to the appeal circulated to villagers in May. They have promised to contribute £4,855 towards the cost of the extension and this should enable us to claim a further £1300 from the Government under the Gift Aid scheme.
If you are one of those who still intend to respond to the appeal, perhaps you would ring me on 851192.
Brian Simpson
Didcot Barramundi Swim Club is a progressive club using modern training methods so that swimmers can swim to the best of their ability.
Didcot Wave is an indoor Leisure pool including beach area, waves and flume. It also offers ASA National Plan swimming lessons, an air conditioned gym, sunbeds etc.
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