Upton Village

South Oxfordshire

Bake-Up has a Picnic

The fourth baking session was held in Rob and Chris Traynor’s garden with the theme of picnic food. It was nice to see a new face, Karen, who brought along a scrumptious game pie. Other delights included scotch eggs, sausage rolls, focaccia and soda bread, marinated chicken and more. Recipes were swapped, bellies were filled and a good deal of chat was had.

The theme for the next meet-up is ‘food from our holidays’. Frances is kindly hosting at The Old Forge (where High Street meets Church Street) at 11am on Friday 29 September.

If you can’t wait that long, there’ll be some Bake Up fun at the fete.

Bake Up isn’t an exclusive club – new faces (and food) are always welcome, so if you have a little spare time and fancy conjuring up something in your kitchen why not come along?

The Style Acre Tearoom Summer Fete

Enjoy a lovely day in Blewbury at the Style Acre Tearoom Summer Fete at our tearoom at Savages Garden Centre. With something for all the family, including a BBQ, bouncy castle, live performances, games, a cake competition and much more, it’s an event not to be missed! The fete starts at 11am and finishes at 3pm.

Our Tea Room is a social enterprise which provides work opportunities for adults with learning disabilities. All the money raised from the fete will go back into our Tea Room to enable us to continue to provide the work opportunities we do.

If you would like to enter our cake competition or would like more information please contact Chris at cburrows@styleacre.org.uk or call 01491 827593.

Bike Night comes to Upton

JOHN WHEELER BIKE NIGHT

VINTAGE, CLASSIC & BRITISH BIKES COME TO UPTON

TUESDAY 11TH JULY AT 6.00 P.M.

RECREATION GROUND

TRADE STANDS, OUTSIDE BARS, REFRESHMENTS

AWARDS FOR BEST BIKES

Collection will be taken for local charities

Contact John Lightfoot 01235 850486

Earth Trust’s Calendar for July

All events take place at the Earth Trust, Little Wittenham, OX14 4QZ unless otherwise stated.

Summer Picnic – Sunday 2nd July, 11am-4pm

Help us celebrate our 35th Birthday at this year’s summer festival! Party games, live music, a smoothie bike and more! £6 adult, £3 child, £15 family (discount for online bookings at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson).

A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Wednesday 19th July, 6.30pm-9.30pm

Earth Trust is delighted to welcome The HandleBards, the world’s first cycling theatre company! Since 2013, their two troupes (one all-male, the other all-female) have pedalled over 6000 miles across the UK to perform their unique brand of “charmingly chaotic, environmentally sustainable, bicycle-powered Shakespeare”

Join the all-male troupe in the beautiful gardens of the Earth Trust Centre, at the foot of the Wittenham Clumps, for A Midsummer Night’s Dream as you’ve never seen it before! Bring a picnic and settle down for an evening of “gloriously eccentric” outdoor theatre.

For those not familiar with the story, what’s the play about? Well… Four young lovers find themselves enveloped in the dream-like arms of a magical forest full of sprites, where a feuding Fairy King and Queen are at war over the possession of an Indian boy. A group of amateur actors share the same forest. They’re rehearsing for a play. Fairies and humans collide. Hilarity ensues.

£18 adult, £14 child; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Drawing from Nature for Families – Sunday 23rd July, 10am-1pm

Let your creative side loose in the great outdoors, and get top tips for inspiration and improvement from local artist Gareth Lloyd. £10 adult, £5 child; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Creepy Crawly Comics – Monday 24th July, 10am-3pm

You’ll be the bees’ knees at creepy crawly comic drawing after attending our session with popular cartoonist Neill Cameron, whose work features in The Phoenix comic. You’ll explore the Earth Trust garden, then create a nature themed comic inspired by what you discovered. For 7-11 year olds. £30 (ask about our discount for siblings); booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Woodland Adventure – Tuesday 25th July, 10am-12pm

An expedition for 5-8 year olds. Use your detective skills to explore, build and play in the woods! £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free.

Night Safari – Tuesday 25th July, 8pm-10pm

Join us for this night-time expedition to discover Thrupp Lake’s wildlife, who knows what you might find? On the evening, you’ll also set up live traps ready for tomorrow’s event. £7 adult, £4 child; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Wildlife Wednesday at Thrupp Lake – Wednesday 26th July, 10am-12pm

Our roving Wildlife Wednesday visits a different Earth Trust community nature reserve each school holiday. Come out and play and learn about your local wildlife! £2 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free.

Tree Climbing – Wednesday 26th July, 10am-5pm

Use ropes and harnesses to explore Little Wittenham Wood’s treetops in 1hr sessions with The Great Big Tree Climbing Company. £20 per participant; booking essential: online at http://www.bigtreeclimbing.co.uk/tree-climbing-events/

Basket Weaving – Saturday 29th and Sunday 30th July, 9.30am-5pm

You can create several small baskets or one larger structure in this two day workshop with Catherine Tregaskes. £115 per person; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Clumps Club – Monday 31st July – Friday 4th August, 9am-5pm

Experience some wild adventures in this holiday club for 7-11 year olds! Different outdoor activities each day (see our website for details). £30 per day (book all 5 and get one FREE); booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

As always, more information can be found on our website www.earthtrust.org.uk.

Blewbury W.I. Calendar for July

Summer is here at last! Long hot sunny days and warm balmy evenings. More ways to relax – join us at the following events taking place in July. All new members will be made very welcome.

Monday 3rd July at 10.30am – Coffee at Style Acre.

Tuesday 4th July at 10.00am – Meet at the Village Hall for Lyn’s Walk.

Friday 7th July at 7.00pm – Craft Evening at Liz’s, please ring first.

Monday 10th July – Boat trip at Henley. Date and time to be confirmed.

Monday 10th July at 7.30pm – Scrabble at Graeme’s, please ring first.

Wednesday 26th July at 7.30pm – WI Monthly Meeting in the Vale Room. Speaker, Barbara Hudson – Retirement and Beyond, Internet Dating and The Novel.

Friday 28th July at 1.30pm – Talking Science Lecture at RAL Harwell.  Black Holes – Science, Fact, Fiction or Fantasy.  Prof. Chris Done.

For more details of any of our events, or if you wish to join us, please ring Karen on 850219 or visit our web page, http://blewburywi.wordpress.com where you will find more  information.

Cilla.

 

Didcot U3A

The University of the Third Age offers the opportunity to share your knowledge, experience and talents with others and to learn from them in friendly surroundings. We have 31 Interest Groups, ranging from, Art Appreciation, Family History, Languages (various), Photography, Science & Technology, Ukulele to Wine Appreciation!

The Didcot & District U3A meets on the third Tuesday of the month in the Civic Hall, at the next meeting on 20th June, John Caldicott will talk on ‘The Foundling Hospital – the children who were taken in’.

The monthly meetings always commence at 2pm, it advisable to arrive 15 minutes before the start, there are always members of the Committee on hand to act as Meeters & Greeters to make any newcomers most welcome.
For more information call: 01235 510048 or 01235 815384, email secretary@didcotu3a.org or visit www.u3asites.org.uk/didcot

Advance Notice of Upton Village Fete

The fete this year will be held on Saturday, 2 September starting at 2.00 on the recreation ground. So keep the date free – it will be well worth it!

For the first time the fete will be a joint effort between St Mary’s Church and UVHAT – the Upton Village Hall Amenities Trust. The organising committee has already been very busy and we’re pleased to announce some exciting new ideas – donkeys, a cartoonist, a car boot sale and a bake-off competition to name but a few. And we won’t forget the old favourites – the teas, the book stall, white elephant, a barbeque and many others.

Entertainments will include a dog show, gymnasts, Blewbury Brass Band and the children’s entertainer, Juggling John, who proved to be such a hit last year. And we would welcome other ideas too – please contact a member of the committee if you have any suggestions.

We are aiming to raise at least £4,000 to be split between UVHAT and St Mary’s so we look forward to seeing as many as possible at one of the highlights of Upton village life in September.

Look out for more news next month!

Upton Village Fete Committee: Gloria Smith, Jacqui Reid, Jessie West, Brian Rippon and Paul Batho

Earth Trust Events During June

All events take place at the Earth Trust, Little Wittenham, OX14 4QZ unless otherwise stated.

Little Explorers – Thursday 1st June, 10am-11.30am

Sensory buggy/sling walk for babies and toddlers. We will use our senses to learn about the natural world around us – stopping to smell, touch, taste, listen and look! £4 suggested donation per child; accompanying adult(s) free.

Discover and Play – Friday 2nd June, 10am-12pm

Forest School fun for the under-5s. Join us for a morning of play and discovery in our woodlands. £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free.

Sunday Drop-in: Forest School Fun – Sunday 4th June, 10am-2pm

Come and explore the woods and get creative in the great outdoors. £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free.

Natural Dyeing – Sunday 11th June, 10am-4pm

Discover the wide range of plants that can produce dye and learn how to extract and fix the colour. £40; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Bats of the Clumps – Friday 16th June, 7pm-8.30pm

Take a peek into the mysterious world of these amazing animals… Meet some bats and enjoy an informative talk by Dave Endacott from Oxfordshire Bat Group. £8 per adult, £4 per child; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Beginners Wildlife Photography – Saturday 17th June, 10am-3pm

Professional photographer Andrew Walmsley will help you get to grips with your camera and provide guidance on capturing images of wildlife. There are a series of workshops running throughout the next few months – book one or more as a course: first workshop £80, subsequent workshops 15% off. Booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Intermediate Wildlife Photography – Sunday 18th June, 10am-3pm

In each of these workshops professional photographer Andrew Walmsley will cover a different aspect of photography so you can build up a more in-depth knowledge. This workshop will cover cataloguing and pressing. Book one or more as a course for a discount: first workshop £80, subsequent workshops 15% off. Booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

As always, more information can be found on our website www.earthtrust.org.uk.

Film Club’s Next Movie

Sully: Miracle on the Hudson (The story of Chesley Sullenberger, who became a hero after gliding his plane along the water in the Hudson River, saving all of his 155 passengers) has been chosen to be your next movie – showing on Friday June 9th

The movie will start at 8 o’clock

There will be an intermission approximately halfway through.

Drinks will also be available before and after the showing.

Place the date in your diary – £5.00.

Doors open at 7:15 so why not come along early for a drink and a chat and to celebrate or

commiserate the end of the election campaign.

Rob Traynor

May Events at Earth Trust

Earth Trust have arranged the following events to take place during May:

Moth Night on Saturday 6th May, 8pm-10pm

Uncover the wonderful world of moths during an evening of moth trapping. £6 per adult, £3 per child; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Dawn Chorus Walk on Sunday 7th May, 4.30am-6.30am

Join us on the Clumps to hear the dawn birdsong. £6 per adult, £3 per child; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Sunday Drop-in: Go Wild! on Sunday 7th May, 10am-2pm

Discover what wildlife lives on the nature reserve, including looking at what’s been caught in the moth traps that were set up at yesterday’s Moth Night. £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free.

Green Woodworking Course on Tuesday 9th May, 6.30pm-9pm

A 6 week course (Tuesday evenings 9th May-13th June) where you’ll make your own stool to take home. £75 for 6 sessions; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Tree Climbing on Saturday 13th May, 10am-5pm

Use ropes and harnesses to access the treetops! 1hr sessions with The Great Big Tree Climbing Company. £20; booking essential: online only at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Scything on Sunday 14th May, 9.30am-4pm

Learn the traditional way to tackle tall grass and long weeds, with expert Clive Leeke. £50; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Intermediate Wildlife Photography on Sunday 14th May, 10am-3pm

In each of these workshops professional photographer Andrew Walmsley will cover a different aspect of photography so you can build up a more in-depth knowledge. This workshop will cover wide angle tricks. Future intermediate workshops: 18th June; book one or more as a course: first workshop £80, subsequent workshops 15% off. Booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Bat Walk on Saturday 20th May, 8.30pm-10pm

A guided walk with the addition of bat detectors to find out more about these marvellous mammals. £6 per adult, £3 per child; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Drawing from Nature on Sunday 21st May, 2pm-4pm

Explore Little Wittenham Wood with your sketchbook and get top tips from artist Gareth Lloyd. £20; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Natural Dyeing for Families on Tuesday 30th May, 11am-4pm

Forage for natural dyes to colour wool, then make colourful felt. Suitable for ages 10 years+, £20 per adult, £15 per child; booking essential: 01865 407792 or online at www.earthtrust.org.uk/whatson (incurs a booking fee).

Woodland Adventure on Wednesday 31st May, 10am-12pm

An expedition for 5-8 year olds. Use your detective skills to explore, build and play in the woods! £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free.

Wildlife Wednesday at Thrupp Lake on Wednesday 31st May, 2pm-4pm

Our roving Wildlife Wednesday visits a different Earth Trust community nature reserve each school holiday. Come out and play and learn about your local wildlife!

All events take place at the Earth Trust, Little Wittenham, OX14 4QZ unless otherwise stated. More information can be found on our website www.earthtrust.org.uk.