South Oxfordshire
The Brownie group which meets at Upton Village Hall on Tuesday evenings is celebrating 100 years of Brownies.
Towards the celebration they have been doing a challenge badge, and part of this covers helping the community. On 1st July they will be conducting a litter pick around Upton village including the Recreation Ground.
Our summer season is now well under-way, and June offers a great choice of shows and performances. There are a variety of afternoon shows ideal for parents and/or grandparents to enjoy some family fun together with children or grandchildren, including A Real Fairy Story on Sunday 1 June when you’re invited to join Mrs Buttersnap and her cat in her quest to photograph a fairy. Featuring shadow puppetry and a sprinkling of comedy this delightful show will captivate the imagination on a journey to fairyland.
The following Sunday, 8 June, we have something entirely different with Yummm! There will be two performances of this children’s dance theatre show: the first at 11am for ages 4 and under and the second at 2pm for ages 4 and over. This production seats the audience around the ‘dinner table’ and is a celebration of food seen through children’s eyes, with dancing tables, spinning plates and kitchen utensils woven into quirky meal time rituals. At the end of each performance there will be a short play activity for audiences on stage, and children will be given their own utensils to play with. Lots of interactive fun for everyone! Have a look at our web site to see some colourful photos from previous performances.
Something different again is Screaming With Laughter, on Sunday 15 June. Comedian Lucy Porter leads an afternoon cabaret show of comedy where mums, dads and grandparents can relax and laugh about parenthood with some fine comedians. And baby’s welcome too! These stand-up comedians are used to rowdy audiences – and Lucy herself has two toddlers – so won’t bat an eyelid if you need to move around, feed the baby, or baby emits a squeak or two!
On a more adult note, music and theatre lovers are not forgotten. Alvin Roy’s previous visits to Cornerstone, with The Mainstream All Stars and The Alex Welsh Tribute Band, proved very popular and he returns on Saturday 21 June with a new jazz instrumental six-piece, Jazz Reeds Incorporated. With a front line of Julian Marc Stringle, Alvin himself and Mike Wills on various saxophones and clarinets, supported by Rod Kelly on piano, Charlie Stratford on drums and John Rees Jones on bass the performance will include numbers from ‘The Great American Songbook’ and original mainstream/swing jazz renditions.
There’s a real treat in store with prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School’s production of Sauce for the Goose. Feydau, master of the French farce, created the perfect high-spirited romp of passions, pace and pleasure. Married Pontagnac pursues Lucienne, only to discover that she’s married to his best friend Valentin. Lucienne has sworn to remain faithful to Valentin as long as he remains so to her, so when an old ‘indiscretion’ of Valentin’s arrives, with her other half in tow, Lucienne’s may have an ‘out’. Everyone ends up at the Hotel Ultimus where beds are swapped, infidelities discovered and everyone’s goose is well and truly cooked. Fun, farcical and fast. Fantastic!
Whats on in June 2014
Sun 1 – A Real Fairy Story, Children’s Theatre, 2pm. Ages 3-7 and adults. Mrs Buttersnap sets out , with an assortment of gadgets, a sprinkling of comedy and her cat, to photograph a fairy. Limited places, book early.
Fri 6 – Hardeep Singh Kohli: Hardeep Is Your Love, Comedy: Stand-Up, 8pm. New stand-up, fresh from a run at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe, this is Hardeep’s take on life, love and finding romance in middle age.
Sat 7 Charleston – The Dance of the 20s, One-Off Adult Workshop, 10.30am-12.30pm. Energetic and exuberant workshop learning the basics of the famous dance. No partner necessary, all experience levels welcome.
Sat 7 – Mike McGear McCartney, Sex, Drugs & Rock’N’Roll, 8pm. Photographer, and Paul McCartney’s brother, Mike was an integral part of the Merseybeat era and shares many behind the scenes tales and photographs.
Sun 8 – Yummm! Children’s: Dance Theatre, 11am for under 4s and 2pm for 4s and over. A celebration of food seen through children’s eyes, with dancing tables and spinning plates. Audience participation. Limited places.
Fri 13 The Paperboys, Music: Folk, 8pm. The folk of fiddle and flute mixed with the hook of horns and Latin and African rhythms. The Paperboys have been touring for 15 years and have released seven albums.
Sat 14 – Julie Madly Deeply, Musical Theatre, 8pm. Love Julie Andrews? Direct from the West End, Fascinating Aida star Sarah-Louise Young and pianist Michael Roulston perform Julie’s famous songs and stories from her life.
Sun 15 – Screaming With Laughter, Comedy for Parents and Children, 2pm. Laugh and relax in this afternoon of cabaret comedy about parenthood, led by Lucy Porter. For mums, dads, grandparents… and baby too!
Fri 20 – Paul Liddell, Bar Gig, 8pm. FREE admission. Paul’s released three albums and his songs are heartfelt and catchy. He creates beautiful layered vocal and guitar harmonies through the use of live sampling.
Sat 21 – Clay Sculpture, One-Off Adult Workshop, 10.30am-12.30pm. Make a functional object then take inspiration from our Oxford Scribes exhibition and use beautiful calligraphy to decorate it. All materials included.
Sat 21 – Jazz Reeds Incorporated, Music: Jazz, 8pm. Alvin Roy returns! This time with a new jazz instrumental six-piece, selecting songs from ’The Great American Songbook’ plus original mainstream/swing jazz numbers.
Sun 22 – Charlie Baker: Baker’s Dozen, Comedy Stand-Up, 8pm. Comedian Charlie has a great jazz belter of a voice and takes the 13 best-selling UK singles from the last 13 years then puts his own twist on each.
Fri 27 – Bristol Old Vic Theatre School: Sauce for the Goose, Theatre: Classic, 8pm. Ages 12+. Master of the French farce, Feydeau, created the perfect high-spirited romp of passions, pace and pleasure. Fun, farcical and fast!
Sat 28 – Camino Del Flamenco: Flamenco Night, Hiring: Dance, 6.30pm. The largest Flamenco school in the UK returns to Cornerstone for its 6th annual show. More than 70 dancers from Cornerstone classes perform.
Sun 29 – Virginia Ironside: Growing Old Disgracefully, Comedy Talk, 6pm. Agony columnist and writer, Virginia’s written two books celebrating being a sexagenarian, and this show does just that.
Full details of our summer programme can be found on our website http://www.cornerstone-arts.org (online booking available). Or call our Box Office on 01235 515144, open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday
11am-4pm. Closed Monday.
UPTON PARISH COUNCIL
CASUAL VACANCY
A vacancy exists in the office of Parish Councillor for Upton Parish to last until elections take place in 2015.
The main focus of this appointment will be to review and redraft the Upton Parish Plan
The vacancy will be filled by election if any ten local government electors for the said electoral area submit a written request for an election to fill the vacancy to the Returning Officer, Vale of White Horse District Council, Abbey House, Abingdon OX14 3JE within fourteen days after public notice of the vacancy has been given. In computing these fourteen days mentioned above you disregard a Saturday or Sunday, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Good Friday or a bank holiday or a day appointed for Public Thanksgiving or Mourning.
If no such request is made the vacancy will be filled by Co-option by the Parish Council.
Dated this 30th day of April 2014
Parish Clerk
The sun’s shining, the trees are bursting with blossom, bees are buzzing and thoughts turn to the long warm days of summer and its balmy evenings. Cornerstone’s summer season’s jam-packed with entertainment and activities for everyone. May will bring a super selection of theatre, with something to suit all tastes.
The season kicks off at the end of April with Everything You Ever Needed To Know Ever (And Some Extra Stuff), on Sunday 27 April, is a very silly family comedy show sure to appeal to everyone from 6 to 106, and it’s just an hour long. Funnyman Tiernan’s pretty sure he knows the answer to any question children might ask, like, ‘Why are there trees?’ and ‘What’s the universe made of?’ Don’t miss your chance to come and ask that question you’ve always burned to have answered. 1001 Nights is the classic tale of Shaharazad, who tells a different tale every night and uses whatever’s around her to help to transport us to the world of kings, viziers and jinns. This delightful family theatre production on Saturday 10 May will enchant all the family from ages 6 and up.
On Saturday 3 May London Classic Theatre bring their 50th anniversary production of Joe Orton’s dark comedy, Entertaining Mr Sloane, to Cornerstone. Enigmatic Mr Sloane throws a family’s lives into disarray in this story of seduction, blackmail and murder. Bitch Boxer – please don’t be put off by the title – is a moving, thoughtful and beautifully performed play about a young girl who becomes a boxer, and her growing up. Audience members from age 14+ will find it really engaging and uplifting. Sunday 4 May brings The Showstoppers Improvised Musical. This will be a unique production at Cornerstone, since this brand new musical comedy show is created from scratch, from audience suggestions, at each performance. These shows are selling out in the West End and on tour so don’t miss the chance to come and make your contribution to the Cornerstone version!
And, finally, we’re very excited that The Rutles: Will Be Appearing As Themselves on Sunday 18 May. Originally created by Eric Idle and Neil Iness for the comedy sketch show Rutland Weekend Television they started as a spoof of The Beatles, but were so popular that they became an actual group. recording, touring and topping the charts. Following a great gig at Glastonbury they’re touring again for a brief period, so catch them while you can!
MAY 2014 Calendar
1-31 Open Exhibition: Portraits, Tue-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm. FREE admission. Cornerstone’s annual open exhibition is a feast of art, displaying the skill and imagination of local artists.
1-31 Matthew Wright: The Farrier, Exhibition, Tue-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Fine art photographer Mathew Wright’s installation in our Window Wall captures the quietly timeless work of a farrier.
Sat 3 Entertaining Mr Sloane: Classic Theatre, 7.30pm. Adult, but suitable for ages 14+. Behind Mr Sloane’s nonchalant front lie seduction, blackmail and murder in this production of Joe Orton’s classic dark comedy.
Sun 4 The Showstoppers Improvised Musical: Musical Theatre, 7pm. Ages 14+. Audience suggestions create a brand new, unpredictable and hilarious musical comedy show at each performance. Selling out in the West End.
Fri 9 Mark Steel’s In Town, Comedy: Stand Up, 8pm. Mark’s a big favourite at Cornerstone and he’s back! This show is based on Mark’s Radio 4 series, where he writes a show based specifically on an individual town.
Sat 10 Draw Cartoons: One-off Workshop for Adults, 10.30am-12.30pm. Learn how to draw simple expressive faces, make characters walk, move, talk and think with Oxfordshire’s professional comic artist Scooter McKenzie.
Sat 10 1000 Nights: Family Theatre, 6pm. Ages 6+. This production collects together the greatest tales ever told, re-imagined by Shahrazad, a lively young girl torn between her old home in the East and her new English home.
Fri 16 Mark Grist: Rogue Teacher, Comedy: Stand Up, 8pm. Ages 13+ (strong language). Mid-recession ex English teacher and poet Mark embarked on a series of challenges. This show is a comic story of his life.
Sat 17 Formby: Theatre, 8pm. Ewan Wardrop plays Formby and all the key characters in his life, brilliantly performing the classic hits live. A funny, touching play about an essentially ordinary man with an extraordinary talent.
Sun 18 The Rutles: Will Be Appearing As Themselves: Music, 7.30pm. Starting as a spoof of The Beatles they were so popular that they became an actual group to great acclaim. They’re touring again for a brief period.
Fri 23 Youth Activity Day, 4-7pm, ages 9-16. FREE. A brand-new event with theatre, sports, art, games and dance activities and information for young people. Stick around afterwards and enjoy the free music gig with Laish.
Fri 23 Laish: Bar Gig, 8pm. FREE admission. Laish is the song writing project of rich voiced Daniel Green. He writes original songs with honesty, pathos and humour accompanied by a hypnotic, fingerpicking guitar style.
Sat 24 Guitar: One-off Workshop for Adults, 2.30-4pm. Learn to play acoustic guitar, all abilities welcome and no music reading necessary. Bring your own guitar!
Sat 24 Bitch Boxer: Theatre, 8pm. Ages 14+, (strong language, sexual references). Don’t be put off by the title. A thoughtful, beautifully realised and performed play about a young girl who becomes a boxer.
Sun 25 Pirate Gran: Children’s Theatre, 2pm. Ages 3+ and adults. Meet Gran. She bakes. She knits. You’d never guess she was a Pirate with a pet crocodile under her bed, a wicked sense of humour and a raft of adventures to tell.
Fri 30 Fairport Acoustic Convention, Music: Folk, 8pm. They’re a national, an Oxfordshire and now a Cornerstone institution. A great show of old favourites, some re-workings, spontaneous banter and some new material.
Sat 31 The Trials of Oscar Wilde: Theatre, 7.30pm. Ages 14+ (adult themes). Less than 100 days after the triumphant opening of The Importance of Being Earnest Wilde was sentenced to two years’ hard labour. What happened?
HALF-TERM HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
27-30 Drop-In and Doodle: Self-Portraits, 10am-4pm. FREE. All ages, (children must be accompanied by an adult). Explore different ways to make a self-portrait and add it to the Drop-In and Doodle display.
Tue 27 Clay Sculpture: Toby Jugs, 1.30-3.30pm. Ages 5-12 years, (adult goes free when accompanied by a child). These fun jugs take the form of a person. You could make a jug that looks like a TV character, a friend or a teacher.
Wed 28 Shake, Rattle and Roll! 10.30am-12.30pm. Ages 5-12 years, (5 & 6 year-olds to be accompanied by an adult). Create a musical instrument from recycled materials and make music! You’ll need to bring some of your own recycled items, please check when booking.
Thu 29 Play in a Day, 10.30am-4.30pm. Ages 10-14 years. This workshop is for all who love the thrill of making theatre. No experience required, just lots of enthusiasm! Performance for family and friends afterwards.
Fri 30 Media Mash-Up, 10.30am-4pm. Ages 7-11 years. Use iPads, Apple laptops and cameras to make animation and movies in this fun, hands-on workshop. Take home the results to share with family and friends!
Full details of our summer programme can be found on our website http://www.cornerstone-arts.org.
Or call our Box Office on 01235 515144, open Tuesday to Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 11am-4pm. Closed Monday.
Best wishes,
Bridget Haffenden
Marketing team
Hello everyone.
On Saturday the 5th of April Police staff and members of the local Community took part in the’ Chilton day of action’ event. This was organised by Carol Rudd and myself. Carol is the NHW and Community messaging administrator who is based at Abingdon Police station. Our mission was to highlight the Thames Valley text alert system and ask residents if they wished to sign up to the scheme. We also asked residents if they wished to become neighbourhood watch co-coordinators for Chilton. A Police exhibition trailer was also placed in the Recreation ground car park and we invited residents to take their push bikes there to be security coded absolutely free.
We received an extremely encouraging response from the Chilton community and many people have signed up to the Thames Valley text alert scheme, which is also a free service. The Text alert service allows you to receive messages of criminal activity or Police meetings in the area. Most people care about the community they live in. The police want residents to help combat crime by sharing information about criminal activity in the area, helping to identify problems and working together in trying to solve them.
Our little team of canvassers was made up of Police staff and members of the local community including Upton’s very own Austin Maytham. Everyone worked hard and despite the cold, some wind and rain, they all did a splendid job of getting a positive response from many homes that were visited upon.
I’m absolutely certain that this will have a positive effect on the community. A big thank you for signing to the Scheme and also importantly, if any of you have shown an interest in becoming a neighbourhood watch coordinator then that’s great too.
I’m sure this Scheme and how we organised its implementation could be used as a blue print and be effectively tried out in other communities including Upton.
I have received reports of a cyclist who uses the old railway embankments and does not seem to have any consideration for other cyclists or walkers along the pathway. I would very much like to have a chat with this male so if any of you know who is he or you have experienced similar issues with regard to his cycling behaviour please let me know.
My next Have your say meeting will be held on the 26th of April at 15.00 till 16.00 at the Village hall meeting room. Please come along if you have any issues that you think I can help you with.
.
Stay safe
Mike
Mike Clayden C9732 ( Milton Park)
Thames Valley Police,
Wantage Police Station,
Downsview Road,
Royal Mail announced their price rise on the day the March bulletin went to press, (typical), 1st & 2nd class stamps are rising by 2p & 3p respectively, (both standard and large letter), so it’s worth buying a few extra to beat the price rise, they all re-value, so will still be valid, whatever price you paid, as long as they have 1st or 2nd on them! Parcel prices are also changing. Although the good news is that small parcels between 1kg & 2kg, are going down in price! (everything else will be going up we hear!)
The old £50 note with John Houbron on them, are being withdrawn at the end of April, and we have until the end of October 2014 to bank or swap them for new ones!
Thank you to everyone who has been bringing in their Sainsburys’ active kids vouchers, used stamps, and old shoes, they are all going to good charities!
Our friend Andrew is in need of good boots again, if anyone has men’s boots they no longer require (size 11) he would be very grateful! (Please bring them in to us!)
The BGM continue here at the Post Office on Saturday mornings, fresh bread & cakes, eggs, jam etc are available throughout the week too! Steve’s hens are kept very busy!
We will be closed on Good Friday & Easter Monday, allowances are usually paid in to accounts before these days. Customers with “key” meters who need emergency top ups, ring/text my mobile 07825154842. (Please don’t go cold or without a cup of tea, we will come and open the PO!)
Happy Easter to everyone!
Love from Karen & Angela
Hagbourne Bowling Club is looking to increase its profile in the immediate area. The club opens for the summer season on Monday 7 April, 7.30pm. Club nights are every Monday through till September, with matches/social events most other evenings. New bowlers/beginners/social members are all welcome and the club has its annual Open Day starting at 2pm on Saturday 10th May.
For more details, contact Howard Rose – 017854610926.
DIDCOT & DISTRICT UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 2pm at Didcot Civic Hall. Visitors are welcome to come to a meeting as a taster before joining.
The April meeting will be the AGM and will be held on 15 April.
D&D U3A is a self-help, self-managed lifelong learning co-operative for older people no longer in full time work, providing opportunities for its members to share learning experiences in a wide range of interest groups and to pursue learning not for qualifications, but for fun. There are over 25 interest groups including family history, gardening, wine appreciation, dance, science & maths, play reading, creative writing, walking, bridge, crafts, books, poetry, singing, badminton, photography and 5 languages. There’s something for everyone!
Tel: 07804159993
Email: didcotdistrictU3A@virginmedia.com
Website: http://u3asites.org.uk/didcot
Spring is well and truly upon us and throughout April we have a wonderfully varied choice of performances and activities to engage and entertain every member of the family.
The iconic Hazel O’Connor returns on Friday 4 April, showcasing her latest album, I Give You My Sunshine, and featuring legendary saxophonist Clare Hirst and with Sarah Fisher on keyboards and backing vocals. With support from India Electric Company it’s an evening not to be missed. If pop doesn’t float your boat the sublime ten piece Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra and singers will be at Cornerstone on Saturday 5 April with the hot, sweet, music of the 1920s and 30s and celebrating the best of band music from that era. If folk’s more your scene Heidi Talbot and her band come to us on Thursday 24 April. Heidi’s touring with her new album, written with her collaborator John McCusker, and recorded with an array of special guest including Mark Knopfler, King Creosote and Julie Fowlis.
On Saturday 26 April The Remarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe is a fascinating and captivating take on an iconic subject from Dyad Productions, headed up by Rebecca Vaughan who toured very successfully with Guy Masterson and brought Austen’s Women to Cornerstone.
Easter holiday activities kick off on Sunday 6 April with Comedy 4 Kids. Comedians who generally play to adults love playing to children because there’s such an immediate and unguarded response. Adults can come with our without their children! Whichever, it’s fantastic comedy for any age from 7 to 107 and the perfect afternoon out for all the family to enjoy and have a laugh together. A pre-show workshop’s also available for ages 7 to 13 offering an opportunity to learn how to write and perform comedy, and a chance to show off new jokes and skills to parents at the end!
During the Easter holidays we have a selection of new activities at Cornerstone on offer: the opportunity to explore the colourful and creative art of Mosaics, a chance to learn and master the athleticism and dance skills involved in Cheerleading and the excitement of planning, devising, writing and shooting a Film In A Day! Firm favourites at Cornerstone are not forgotten with Funny Faces Animation for ages 6 to 9 and Amazing Animation for ages 9 to 13 as well as Youth Dance sessions. Light Fantastic is another of our very popular family days, exploring the science of light, with hands-on activities, demonstrations and special workshops.
APRIL 2014
3-27 European Southern Observatory: Awesome Universe, Exhibition, Tue-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-4pm. FREE entry. Celebrating Europe’s quest to explore the southern sky this exhibition consists of visually stunning images, showcasing celestial objects as seen by ESO’s observatories.
Fri 4 Hazel O’Connor: Here She Comes Tour with support from India Electric Company, Music: Pop, 8pm. Hazel’s new show coincides with both the publication of her autobiography and the release of the digitally re-mastered DVD of Breaking Glass.
Sat 5 Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra, Music: Jazz, 8pm. A ten piece orchestra and two singers celebrate the music from the 1920s and 30s, and the best of British and American dance bands from that era.
Sun 6 Comedy Club 4 Kids, Childrens: Comedy , 2pm. Ages 7-13 years. Cracking comedy entertainment as the best comedians from the UK and world circuit do what they do best….but without the rude bits! There is a a pre-show workshop from 11.15am-1pm, please see Easter holiday treats for more information.
Sat 12 Reading Male Voice Choir, Hiring: Music, 7.30pm. Didcot and Wallingford’s Rotary Club present an evening of contemporary and folk music to raise money for local Didcot charities. The Club will collect for their charities on the night.
Thu 24 Heidi Talbot, Music: Folk, 8pm. Heidi’s new album of original songs, Angels Without Wings, takes inspiration from the foundations of folk. Heidi comes to Cornerstone with her band, including collaborator John McCusker, with whom she wrote the new album.
Fri 25 It’s Your Round! Theatrical Pub Quiz with a Pie and a Pint! 8pm. Join pub landlady Pat Pinch and her lively bar girl Liberty Belle as they take over the café bar with their theatrical twist on the traditional pub quiz. Test your general knowledge, literature and movie expertise plus music and picture rounds.
Sat 26 The Unremarkable Death of Marilyn Monroe, Theatre, 8pm. Monroe, alone in her bedroom in dressing gown and slippers, as we’ve never seen her before. Overdosed on pills, leading to the moment of her death, she reveals a biting intelligence and frustrated talent as she unravels her remarkable life.
EASTER HOLIDAY TREATS
8-17 Drop-In and Doodle: Star Viewers, 10am-4pm. FREE. All ages (children must be accompanied by an adult).
Explore the Awesome Universe exhibit in the gallery, then make a star viewer and take outer space home.
Sun 6 Comedy Club Workshop, 11.15am-1pm. Ages 7-13 years. Have a go at comedy before our Comedy Club 4 Kids show at 2pm. Learn how to write and perform stand-up and comedy sketches.
Tue 8 Light Fantastic: Family Day, 10am-4pm. FREE. All ages (children must be accompanied by an adult).
Hands-on activities, demonstrations and special workshops exploring the science of light.
Tue 8 Clay Sculpture, 1.30-3.3.0pm. 5-12 years. Create work inspired by our Light Fantastic Science Day.
Wed 9 Magnificent Mosaics, 10.30-1.30pm. Ages 7-12 years. Explore the colourful and creative art of mosaics.
Thu 10 Cheerleading, 1.30-3.3.0pm. 5-10 years. Learn the athletic skills and dance routines of this sport.
Fri 11 Funny Faces Animation, 10.30am-12.30pm. Ages 6-9 years. Plasticine animation offers a great combination of story-telling and hands-on activity for the younger age range.
Fri 11 Amazing Animation, 1.30pm-4.30pm. What wacky stories will come out of this ever popular workshop?
Tue 15 Clay Sculpture, 10.30am-12.30pm. 5-12 years. Create work inspired by our Light Fantastic Science Day.
16-17 Youth Dance, 10.30am-12noon. Ages 5-7 years. Get moving and get creative in this two morning course.
Thu 17 Film In A Day, 10.30am-4.30pm. Ages 9-13 years. Plan, devise, write and shoot a film all in one day
As usual full details are available on our website at http://cornerstonearts-org.uk, or from the Box Office on 01235 515144.
Work will shortly commence on the A34 interchange at Chilton, with the addition of northern slips allowing southbound traffic to leave, and northbound traffic to access the A34. This work is seen as strategically important for the success of the Harwell Science Park and in turn both the local and national economy.
Subsequently concerns have been raised by residents in Chilton Rd, regarding the potential increase in traffic that this development may bring to Chilton Rd. These concerns are:
Possible options on the table to address these concerns would include:
Each option is explored with its pro’s and con’s.
Option A
This would have the effect of reducing traffic speeds though the residential section of the village while maintaining direct access to Chilton for all road users. However concerns “2” to “4” would not be addressed. As such Option A would seem to address little of the concerns raised.
Option B
Allowing through traffic in the uphill direction would have the benefit of halving the traffic flow that Chilton Rd would otherwise experience. It would also reduce the average speed of the traffic, as it is the downhill traffic that tends to travel the fastest.
This option would also make road space for a dedicated cycle way to be implemented from the village limits to the Hagbourne Hill Junction.
As no traffic could make the right turn from Hagbourne Hill onto Chilton Rd there would be a corresponding reduction in accidents stemming from this manoeuvre. Finally only 50% of journeys that might otherwise use this route would be inconvenienced.
Option B would go a long way to reduce current levels of traffic, regardless of any developments at Chilton. It would also resolve most (not all) of the safety concerns, while presenting a compromise to other road users.
Option C
Total closure of Chilton Rd at the Hagbourne Hill Junction would solve all the traffic issues of concern. However it would come at the cost of inconveniencing those that regularly use this road, adding just under a mile to a daily commute.
Option C clearly addresses all of the perceived problems that the Chilton development may bring. There would also be major benefits to the properties on Chilton Rd, with a Cul-de-sac arrangement greatly improving the amenity of the surroundings, making it would feel more like part of the village. A narrowing of the entrance at Reading Rd could allow for the addition of a pedestrian crossing. This would help reduce speeds and improve safety on the A417 while allowing this part of the village to be better integrated into the wider village.
Parish Council Meeting
Upton Parish Council will be taking a vote as to which option we should press Oxfordshire County Council to adopt at a meeting in County Hall on the 21st February. This vote will be taken at the next Parish Council meeting scheduled for 8:00pm on the 11th February at the village hall. If you would like to express your views on the matter please do so either at the meeting or via email to parish.council@uptonvillage.co.uk.