Upton Village

South Oxfordshire

News from Blewbury Post Office

Royal Mail has announced new restrictions for International mail, basically anything that could pose a danger to Aircraft or people, so no aerosols, alcohol, batteries (unless Lithium ones already installed in an item and packed securely, and no more than 2), corrosives, electronic devices, flammable liquids (which include perfume and nail varnish) and a whole lot more! If you are sending something abroad, you will be asked what is in your parcel! Leaflets are available in the Post Office, or go to www.royalmail.com/restrictedgoods for the complete guide.

Blewbury Garden Market producers are continuing bringing freshly baked bread & cakes on Saturday mornings, and there a few jars of preserves during the week too.

Karen and Angela

Methodist Church News

Spring Line Methodist Church

Special Service

January 20th: Our Annual Covenant Service – an opportunity for us all to think about God’s promises to us, and our promises to him, and to renew those promises we have made to live as God’s people – we invite you to join us.

Nativity Service with St Michael’s Sunday School

We were delighted that St. Michael’s Sunday School again held their Nativity Service in the Blewbury Centre. The church was packed, the children’s nativity play was charming and the offering raised £213 for the Save the Children Charity.

Closure

As you read this, the Spring Line Methodist church will have celebrated its last ever Carol Service. Preparations for the closure of both Upton and Blewbury churches are in hand (to be marked at services over Easter 2013). It’s a time tinged with sadness; but also blessed in the realisation that Christian witness has always been about dying and rising again. Churches (especially village churches) are closing across the country now; it’s easy to feel that this is a mark of failure – loss yes, but failure, no.

So much has been put in place over the lifetime of these churches; society has been transformed by their presence. They came into existence when we had no NHS, no welfare state; in a time when education was selective, for the few. They were planted with a job to do – and that job has been done. They challenged society to embed Christian principles and they have done that. In a very profound way, the closing of churches is a mark that says ‘job well done’.

We chose to close at Easter because that is the time when we acknowledge the need to ‘die to rise again’. How that takes place is in the hands of the creative force that sits behind all this. It is yet to be revealed; but it will happen. (I write this as a person who lives in a Methodist chapel, closed and converted into a place that continues to breathe its heritage in a most unexpected way)

Join us as we give thanks for the Christmas Present, the miracles that are Upton and Blewbury and let’s all realise that – without the energy that has been held in these places – life would be that much poorer.

Richard Bittleston, Minister for the Spring Line Church

Upton Community First Responders

Community First Responders are local volunteers trained and equipped by the ambulance service to attend certain types of 999 emergency calls within their local community. They carry a medical kit that includes an oxygen cylinder and masks, airways, a defibrillator and other first aid equipment. CFRs are trained in life support to help patients with chest pain, in cardiac arrest, breathing problems, severe bleeding, diabetic emergencies and unconscious casualties; all incidents where seconds count.

Unfortunately, the team for various different reasons has seen their numbers fall and now would appreciate some additional volunteers to help cover the village and surrounding areas.

Studies have shown that the early response to medical emergencies such as cardiac problems greatly enhance the patients chances of recovery. For example, following a cardiac arrest (where the heart stops beating) a person’s chance of survival decreases by 10% for every minute they wait for help to arrive.

Following a ‘999’ call, the CFR is contacted by mobile phone with details of the call and at the same time an ambulance is dispatched. The CFR will deliver immediate medical support then hand over to the ambulance crew on arrival and continue to assist as necessary.

CFRs receive 2 days of initial training, have monthly training update opportunities and are re-assessed every 6 months.

Community First Responders are a vital, lifesaving link in OUR local community.

Upton formed a CFR team back in 2009 initially with nine trained volunteers providing cover when available and although we formed to cover Upton we have been asked to provide occasional support to the surrounding villages of West Hagbourne, Blewbury, Chilton and Harwell. The team to date has been involved in over 90 calls in the local area.

CFRs are volunteers and the equipment is provided by the South Central Ambulance League of Friends, the team has raised funds to cover the cost of the equipment and has managed to fund a second kit for the village.

If you would like to make a donation to support the work of the CFRs or are interested in becoming a CFR and provide lifesaving cover to the village then more information can be found using the following link –

http://www.southcentralambulance.nhs.uk/get-involved/howdoivolunteer.ashx

If you would like more information about Community Responding, please contact

Ian Jones on 07791 561998 or ian.jones@scas.nhs.uk or please give me a call on 850031.

Thank you for your time and interest and I hope that you are able to help.

Mike Weston – Upton CFR team

Village Carol Singing

Many thanks to everyone who came carol singing, rang handbells and donated to our house-to-house collection. We raised the respectable sum of £138.19, which has now been given to Didcot TRAIN Youth Project to support the work of this excellent local charity. Thank you so much for supporting this event.

Sarah Tenant-Flowers

What’s On at Cornerstone in January

CORNERSTONE

25 Station Road, Didcot, OX11 7NE

Box Office: 01235 515144 Tickets online: www.cornerstone-arts.org

PERFORMANCE

Sat 12 The Chairman’s Charity Concert Music: Big Band Swing 8pm

Massive 18 piece orchestra with featured vocalists and soloists playing popular swing music. Proceeds in aid of the Chairman of South Oxfordshire District Council’s charities, Helen and Douglas House and Emmaus Oxford.

Fri 18 Mardigras BB Music: Jazz Blues Afro-Cuban Party 8pm

A smooth steamy mix of lindy-hop, jump blues and balboa with a LOT of brass.

Sun 20 Circles In The Sand Theatre: Children’s 11am, 2pm & 3.30pm

For the littlest ones and their adults! Explore sand with buckets, castle building, spinning and tumbling.

Thu 24 Sara Watkins Music: Americana Folk 8pm

After spending nearly two decades as singer and fiddle player with the massive Nickel Creek Sara comes to Cornerstone fronting her own band.

Sat 26 Talbot House: A Home From Home Theatre: Matinee 2pm

During the Great War Talbot House became a home from home for allied troops. This play recreates the humour, music and atmosphere of the place they called Toc H.

Wed 30 Didcot Film Club 8pm

Thu 31 Carthy, Hardy, Farrell & Young Music: Folk 8pm

A rare chance to see the four first ladies of folk – Eliza Carthy, Bella Hardy, Kate Young and Lucy Farrell – all of whom play the violin and sing simultaneously.

BAR GIG

Fri 25 The Howlin’ Taildraggers Blues 8pm (FREE)

Beat the January blues with Oxford-based Chicago blues band!

GALLERY

Tue 8 Jan – Michael Restrick: Newwave

Sun 3 Feb Large scale paintings conveying different moods evoked by landscape through a stunning use of colour.

REGULAR CLASSES & WORKSHOPS STARTING IN JANUARY 2013

Tues 8 Jan Youth Theatre

6-10 years 4.30-5.30pm

11-15 years 5.45-7.15pm

Street Dance Adults 15+ 6-7pm

Book Group Adult monthly 7-8.30pm

West End Dance Adult 7.15-8.15pm

Tap – Beginners/Improvers Adult 8.30-9.30pm

Weds 9 Jan Mature Movement Adults 50+ 11.30am-12.30pm

Baby Boogie Parent & tot 0-18 months 1-1.30pm

Parent & Toddler Ballet

18-30 months 1.45-2.15pm

2-3 years 2.30-3pm

Ballet

3-4 years 3.15-3.45pm

4-6 years 4-4.45pm

Youth Hip Hop 7-11 years 5-5.45pm

Contemporary Dance Adult 6-7.15pm

Ballet – Beginners Adult 7.30-8.30pm

Privately run class: Pilates Matwork – All Levels 6-7pm

Privately run class: Daisy Birthing Classes – For A Relaxed Active Birth

7.30-8.45pm

Thurs 10 Jan Parent & Toddler Ballet 18 months – 3 years 11.45am-12.15pm

Ballet – New Starters 3-4 years 1.15-1.45pm

Ballet

3-4 years 3.15-3.45pm

4-6 years 4-4.45pm

6-9 years 6-6.45pm

Youth Dance 4-6 years 5-5.45pm

Yoga Adult 7-8.15pm

Privately run class: Camino Del Flamenco – Spanish Flamenco dance classes for children and adults. Various from 4pm

Fri 11 Jan Ballroom

Intermediate Adult 7.30-8.30pm

Beginners Adult 8.30-9.30pm

N.B. Some evenings include an extra hour for social dancing (both levels) – check with the tutor!

Privately run class: Music & Movement for under 5s 10-11am

Every Friday during term time

Privately run class: Phoenix Tae Kwon Do (every Friday)

4-6 years 6.30-7pm

6+ years 7-8pm

Sat 12 Jan Street Dance (10 week course)

8-10 years 10-10.45am

11-12 years 11am-12noon

12-14 years 12.15-1.15pm

Sundays Privately run class: Phoenix Flutes

2nd Sunday of every month 2-4pm

Privately run class: Crescendo Mixed A Cappella Singers

Sundays during term time from Sunday 6 January 2-4pm

Upton Homeworker’s Christmas Lunch

Are you missing out on the annual office Christmas party because you work from home in Upton? Don’t worry! Anyone who lives and works in the village and would like to meet up for a Christmas meal in the George & Dragon is welcome to join us for lunch on Tuesday 18th December at 1.00pm. We had a great time last year and would love to see as many Uptonians as possible at this event. We will need to confirm numbers and orders in advance, so please contact Paul Batho by Friday 14th December at the latest.

Paul Batho (Tel: 851251 or email pbatho@aol.com)

Village Carol Singing

All villagers are warmly invited to come carol singing round Upton’s streets on Friday 21st December. We will meet at the Village Hall at 6.30pm and finish up there again at around 8pm for a welcome glass of mulled wine, mince pies and more seasonal music performed by the village handbell ringers led by Daphne Simpson. Word sheets will be provided, but please bring torches and lanterns. We will be collecting again for local charity, Didcot TRAIN Youth Project (Registered Charity No 1094601) which gives support to homeless and disaffected young people in Didcot, providing alternative activities to vandalism, drugs and alcohol. If you’d prefer to listen rather than sing, please get your pennies and pounds (but no missiles please!) ready for this excellent local cause. Give me a call or drop me a line if you would like to take part. The more the merrier!

Sarah Tenant-Flowers (Tel: 850488 or email singscape@aol.com)

News from the Local Post Office

It is building up to the busiest time of the year for the Post Office, Christmas stamps are now on sale, please also ensure that customs labels are put on all packets to non EU countries, and an airmail sticker on relevant items before getting to the counter, the people behind you in the queue will appreciate it, also please note that we don’t have time to stick all your stamps on for you!

The last posting dates for AIRMAIL are:

Weds 5th Dec- Asia, Australia, Far East & Japan, New Zealand,
Friday 7th Dec- Africa, Caribbean, Central & South America, Middle East
Monday 10th Dec- Eastern Europe, Canada, USA
Weds 12th Dec- Western Europe

Last Posting dates for INLAND Mail are:

Tuesday 13th Dec- Parcels
Tuesday 18th Dec- Second class
Thursday 20th Dec – First class

We are pleased to offer you extended opening hours in the run up to Christmas; on Mondays 3rd, 10th & 17th we will open at 2 in the afternoon and close at 5.30pm, whilst on Friday 7th , 14th & 21st we will be open all day until 5pm for those unable to come at other times! Monday 24th we will be open 8.30 – 10.30am.

On the 8th December, and on every Saturday until the spring, the Blewbury Garden Market producers will be bringing their bread, cakes & preserves to be sold at the Post Office, as the stall at the garage will be a bit chilly! Come and buy your cake, bread & preserves.

Karen & Angela
Blewbury Post Office

Play Area – volunteer inspectors wanted

After a few teething issues, the new play area is now fully functional and appears to have gone down a storm with local children.

With this fantastic facility however, comes responsibility and the Parish Council now has a duty to ensure it is regularly inspected and maintained to ensure the safety of our children. With this in mind we’re seeking volunteers to join an inspection rota. Inspections will be weekly, so it is envisaged that each volunteer will only need to perform an inspection every 2-3 months.

If you would like to join the rota and help ensure our play area remains safe, please contact Bob Lott on 851222.

Join your Local Brass Band

Do something new for January – join a Brass Band and make some new friends.
Over the last 18 months Blewbury Brass Band has been successfully growing its membership.  We have established a learner band of around 10 adults and juniors that plays on a Wednesday evening at 6.30pm.  The group attracts all ages from 7 1/2 to 78!   Most of those who started last January are now playing out at public performances with the main band.  On Saturday mornings one to one private tuition is also available and we are launching a group for complete newcomers to music.  So if you fancy having a go or finding out more, then please get in touch and make that New Year’s resolution!   secretary@blewburybrassband.org.uk