Upton Village

South Oxfordshire

Hagbourne’s Treefest

The Annual Christmas Tree Festival will light up St Andrew’s Church,  East Hagbourne,  from 7th – 20th December.  Over 30 real Christmas Trees will be beautifully decorated by local clubs, businesses, groups and individuals.  Come and enjoy the trees, mull over your favourite whilst enjoying refreshments from the Christmas church café and then vote for your favourite tree.  The festival runs until 20th December and is open daily from 10.00 – 5.00 p.m, except on Sundays when it opens immediately after the church service at 12.00 noon.  Entry is free but donations are welcome.   Monies raised will be divided between Didcot Emergency Foodbank and St Andrew’s Church.  The festival is sponsored by AYR Landscaping & Construction, the Fleur de Lys and Larkmead Vets.  More information and programme of festival events can be found at www.easthagbourne.net and  Hagbourne St. Andrew’s Events page on Facebook.

Helen Stutley

Chair, St Andrews Christmas Tree Festival

Notes from Blewbury Post Office including Last Posting Dates.

We have lots of Christmas stamps in stock, and some very pretty alternative 1st class ones too, Gruffallo, Forestry Commission, plus the new Star Wars ones. Please remember to have your letters and parcels already addressed, a return address, airmail stickers and customs label already written before you get to the counter, we also need to know what’s in the parcels.
Last posting dates for abroad start on the 9th December for the Far East and Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand are the 10th, USA and Canada are the 12th, with Europe a couple of days later. For this country 2nd class mail is the 18th and 1st class is the 20th.
Our posties are not on strike, but they are working to rule, as are we. Post Office Ltd was described last week as behaving like a Victorian factory owner towards us sub postmasters, we are not happy bunnies!
Christmas opening times are as usual, Christmas Eve is the morning only, closed for the 25th and 26th, and open mornings only until Monday 6th. Emergency electric, gas, mobile top-ups, or if you’ve got a parcel sitting here, then ring or text my mobile 07825154842 and I’ll pop round. It’s so quiet on those days.
Don’t forget the Blewbury and Upton village post, just 25p to either village, last post is Friday 15th, post boxes in the church and the George and Dragon, thanks to Jessie and Clare for organising the Upton deliveries, money going to the church projects.
Happy Christmas and Seasonal Greetings to you all.
Karen and Maggie

Agenda for Meeting 28th November 2019

You are hereby summoned to attend a meeting of Upton Parish Council at 7.30pm on Thursday 28th November 2019 in the village hall meeting room.
Members of the press and public are welcome to attend.
E Cooper, Clerk to Upton Parish Council, 22.11.19
AGENDA
1. To note or receive apologies for absence
2. To note any declarations of interest in the items on the agenda
3. To co-opt new councillor(s)
4. To approve the minutes of the following meetings & note any matters arising:-
UPC 17.09.19
UPCX 30.10.19
Note:- Any changes to the minutes need to be agreed by vote
5. To hear a report from the County Councillor
6. To hear a report from the District Councillor
7. To hear representations from the public (15 mins max, 3 mins per person)
8. To report on outstanding actions carried forward from previous
meetings:-
No.
Description – O/S Action Points
When by
7.
Rec ground signage discussion – all (details from SCF)
Nov meeting
8.
PMcL update on review & completion of the Annual Community Emergency Planning Survey
Nov meeting
Action points from September meeting
No.
Description
When By
1.
Clerk to contact other local PCs for information on defib training.
Nov meet
2.
BS to contact last first responder in village for information.
Nov meet
3.
Rec ground signage discussion – all
Cfwd Nov meet
4.
Agree on who/how to deal with financial dealings previously carried out by Cllr S Norman (PAYE, HMRC, audit, grant applications). Clerk to speak to internal auditor for guidance.
Nov meet
5.
Clerk to make agreed adjustments to salary & HMRC SOs
Actioned
6.
BH to speak to Blewbury Chair re speeding data.
Nov meet
7.
PMcL to obtain quote for ongoing costs in moving PC element of the village web site to under PCs control.
Nov meet
9. To agree the council’s response to the following planning applications:-
9.1 P19/V2955/HH Owlscote Barn, High Street, Upton
Deadline 2.12.19
9.2 P19/V2956/LB As above
Deadline 2.12.19
9.3 P19/V2967/LB As above
Proposed repointing & partial replacement of existing timber panelling in timber
Frame. Proposed remedial works to existing timber posts.
Deadline 2.12.19
9.4 P19/V2998/HH Lattons, High Street, Upton
Alterations & two-storey & single storey extensions. Re-siting of driveway access.
Deadline 6.12.19
10. To receive an update on UPC Finances
10.1 To receive an update on signatories with Lloyds Bank
New signatories confirmed wef 11.11.19
10.2 To agree the following payments:-
Date Payee £
28.10.19/28.11.19  Clerk’s salary SO, Not publicly disclosed
28.11.19 Clerk’s expenses (TBC) – £28.80
Sept, Oct, Nov HMRC PAYE SO – £129.00
19.9.19/19.10.19/19.11.19 Microsoft Office 365 Sept, Oct, Nov DD @£3.80pm –  £11.40
10.2 Receipts
10.2.1 Bank interest (Sept, Oct, Nov) £1.68
10.2.2 Use of UPC marquee donation £50 (12.11.19)
10.3 To discuss Budgets
10.3.1 Half yearly results for 19/20
10.3.2 Draft budget for 20/21
10.4 To agree on who/how to deal with financial dealings previously carried out by Cllr S
Norman (Audit, Grant Applications)
11. To hear an update on the Play Areas maintenance, upgrades and inspections
12. To discuss a ‘rec regeneration plan’ following the APM & RoSPA report this year
13. To hear an update on car park extension plans
14. To discuss a Parish Council web site plan of action
15. To agree any changes to UPC Standing Orders (sent to UPC for review 5.11.19)
16. To hear an update of Defibrillator training
17. To discuss the need for regular tree inspections
18. To hear an update on potential Speed Watch activity in Upton
19. To discuss any significant items of correspondence received or circulated
19.1 VE Day 75 anniversary
19.2 Tree planting – new cemetery
Date of next meeting:- Tuesday 14th January 2020 at 7.30pm, in the meeting room of the Upton village hall.

Annual Carol Service Coming Up

The Friends of St Mary’s annual Carols and Readings will be held in St Mary’s at 4.00 pm on Saturday 14th  December. This is always a very popular event; walking in the dusk up the lantern-lit path into a cosy and welcoming church always seems like the real start to the real start of the Christmas season, helped by the mulled wind and mince pies which will be served afterwards!

All are welcome, whether or not you’re a signed-up Friend of St Mary’s. We would love to see a great turn-out of Uptonians on the 14th to welcome the start of Christmas 2019.

News from St. Mary’s Church

Fundraising update

We would like to thank all those who have contributed so far to the vestry alteration and new toilet project. We are well on our way to achieving half of the total amount which will allow us to start applying for grants. We would welcome any further contributions which can be made by cash or cheque made out to Upton Parochial Council and given to Paul Batho or Ann Parham. Fundraising events are being planned for next year. These will be separate from the activities of the Friends of St Mary’s.

We would also like to thank the Friends for all the support they continue to give us which pays for the upkeep of the church building.

Christmas card competition

In the past we have given a Christmas card to every house in the parish and we are intending to do this again this year. However, we would like the design of the card to be made by a child in the parish so if you are under 16 years of age get out your pens, pencils, paints and crayons and design us a card. One will be chosen and printed for Christmas 2019. Your entries may be given to Paul Batho, Ann Parham, Clare Lightfoot, Jessie West or left in the church in an envelope clearly marked Christmas card competition. The closing date of the competition is November 15th 2019

United Charities Offer Goodwill for Christmas

Christmas is coming and The United Charities can share some goodwill this season

Do you know anyone who might need some help this Christmas? Anyone having difficulty making ends meet or who knows of someone in need, be they an elderly neighbour or a struggling young family, someone on pension or universal credit – please contact us. All applications are treated in confidence and are discretionary. As well as small monetary gifts, we are able to help in other circumstances such as assisting with transport costs for frequent hospital visits, breaks for carers, items to help cope with disabilities and many other instances where people are having difficulties paying for essential items such as school uniforms as well as unexpected events. Amounts will vary depending on levels of need.

Remember we cannot help if we don’t know.

For self-referrals or nominations, contact the Clerk: Sarah Donne sarahdonne@btinternet.com

An Autumn Soirée at South Moreton

An Autumn Soirée

An evening of music with Syrinx Wind Quintet

In Aid of South Moreton Church

Please join us at The Hall South Moreton on Saturday 26th October

£20 ticket includes fork supper and drink on arrival

Tickets available from White House, South Moreton, OX11 9AG

For more information contact Flick Moorhouse: flickm@btinternet.com

 

Blewbury Post Office Back to Normal Hours

Thanks to everyone for being very patient while I was poorly, thankfully I am much improved, and the Post Office is back to its normal opening hours, 8.30am to 12 noon Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 12 noon on Saturdays, afternoons are 2.30pm to 5pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

We have more pretty stamps in stock, currently available are British Landscapes, there are some Elton John ones on sale soon, and British Navy Ships available late September.

We have lots of lovely “Kitty’s eggs” on sale, all profits go to the pre-school, and lots of local honey too.

Surface mail deadlines for Australia, New Zealand and the Far East for Christmas Post are at the end of September and early October.

Karen and Maggie

 

Ride and Stride

This year’s sponsored event raises money for Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust will take place on Saturday 14th September.

Last year our lone rider Paul raised £155, half of which benefitted St Mary’s Church.  It would be great if more people could join in, perhaps by walking around Oxford Churches.  It’s amazing how many churches are within walking distance of the city.  If you would like more information or a sponsor form, please contact Clare Lightfoot 01235 850486 or Jesse West 01235 851206

Upton Village Fete

Everyone’s welcome to the village fete which this year will be at the recreation ground on Saturday, 7th September starting at 1.00pm.

As ever, it will be a ‘proper’ village fete with plants, books, home-made produce and ‘White Elephant’ for sale, a barbeque, pizzas and magnificent tea and cakes, a raffle, tombola and a special fun zone for kids. Carl will provide some amazing magic and there will be a dog show, vintage car display and lots of other attractions to keep you amused. And if it all gets too much, visit Kenny’s bar for a refreshing pint while you listen to melodies from Blewbury Brass Band!

Would you be able to contribute a cake for the teas? If so Rosemary de Wilde (850345) would love to hear from you. Jacqui Reid is organising the raffle and would appreciate donations for prizes – she is on 07973 818171. Judy and Ian Robertson are organising the book stall and would welcome donations in advance so they can sort the books into order – if you give them a call on 850179 they can collect or arrange delivery to their house. Liz Evans (07715 477868) is running the kids’ zone and she’s especially looking for jam jars filled with sweets, mini toys, hair clips pens and stationery She’d also love unused boxed toys, lego and new cuddly toys for prizes.

White elephant contributions can be taken to the village hall on the Friday evening before the fete between 4pm and 8pm.

If you’d like to keep really up to date, the Facebook page is @Uptonvillagefete. Looking forward to seeing you all on 7th – and tell your friends to come too!

Paul Batho