Upton Village

South Oxfordshire

Laptops Stolen from Cars

Motorists in the Steventon, Milton and Blewbury area are being warned by police to take their lap tops with them when parking in the area following a spate of thefts from cars.

Five lap tops have been stolen over the last eight weeks – the most recent being on 11 and 12 September.

Two were stolen from the car park of Milton Hill House training centre on Milton Hill, one from Steventon House Hotel car park on Milton Hill, one from the High Street in Steventon, and one on London Road in Blewbury. A handbag was also stolen from a car at The Park Club Gym car park in Milton.

PC Ben Peach, of the Vale Priority Crime Team, said: “We would always advise people never to leave valuables in their cars wherever they park.

“Even if you think your lap top is hidden, thieves may be watching and may see you hide it. It is safer just to take anything of value with you.

“We are investigating al these incidents and believe they could be linked. In each case the back windscreen was smashed to gain access to the property inside the cars. Most of the cars targeted and new and expensive cars and we believe they are being targeted deliberately in the hope that there will be more valuable property inside.

“If you have any information or know who could be responsible then please contact me.”

Call PC Peach via 0845 8 505 505. If you do not wish to speak to police or give your name call the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Electric blanket checks

Note for all electric-blanket users in the village.

You are probably all aware that approximately twice a year the Vale offer a free electric-blanket safety check. The notices relating to this are always pinned on the noticeboard in the Village and/or (depending how many have been sent) in the PO as well.

Last week I took a neighbour into Abingdon where she had their two blankets checked out. Both of them failed the test and were not returned to the owner, thus suggesting they were a serious fire hazard. How many more potentially lethal electric-blankets are out there? The advice from this is that the test is free so why not take advantage of it.

Fete – September 2nd

Despite the atrocious weather forecast the Fete was able to go ahead on 2 September, making a profit of around £1,600.

We were delighted with this result and are very grateful to so many people who made this possible. Unfortunately some of our crafts demonstrations were cancelled due to the inclement weather.

Next year’s fete is planned for Saturday 15th September when we hope to introduce some new ideas. We are always looking for suggestions and offers of help, so if you would like to be involved please let Clare (850486) or Jessie (851206) know.

Tibbetts Family

Welcome to the Tibbetts Family

We are pleased to welcome the Tibbetts family who have just moved into the village. Mike and Katherine with their children Billy aged 5, Stanley aged 3 and Daisy aged 10 months have moved from Brixton where they have lived for the last 7 years.

Mike whose interests include photography, diving and music is originally from Chalfont St. Peter, he will now become very familiar with the A417 as he travels to work at Theale.

Kate whose main interests are films, reading and gardening is returning to her native county having originated from Eynsham. Kate has taught in Primary Schools and also worked in children’s education publishing but is now a full time mum.

We wish Billy every success at Blewbury school where he starts this week Stanley will also be going to Blewbury, to the nursery.

Goring to Oxford Pipeline

Thames Water is building a new pipeline to boost water supplies to the Oxford and Swindon areas. The pipeline will pass to the north of the Upton Parish Boundary.

Currently, Thames Water take out 75-80 megalitres of water a day from the Gatehampton and Cleeve sources, but will increase this to over 120 Ml/d.

The first section of the new main will be 900mm diameter and will run 17.1km from Cleeve to South Moreton, and then to Hagbourne Hill. A tunnel will need to be constructed under the River Thames. The new main will be laid in the road underneath the Bristol to Paddington railway, at South Stoke. The second section of main will be a further 16.5km between Hagbourne Hill and Fyfield, which will need a tunnel under the A34.

The work will be completed by March 2008.

The Lowndes Family

Welcome to the Lowndes family

We are pleased to welcome the Lowndes family who have just moved into Icknield House in Chilton Road. Matthew and Becky with their children Harry aged 9, Rosie aged 7 and Evie aged 3 have just returned to this area after spending 3 years in Brazil where Matthew has been working at the British Embassy.

We wish the children every success with their studies at Blewbury school and we wish Matthew good luck as he again joins the early morning commuters at Didcot Station.