Esther Sassoon Blandford has an HP OfficeJet G85 colour printer/fax/ scanner/copier, which is going spare – in good working order except for the photocopier automatic feeder. If one of the village ‘associations’ (including the Newsletter, Wine Club, Oil Syndicate) would like it, she will give it away. If a village individual would like it, Esther would like a contribution made to the Village Hall Extension Fund. Please e-mail or call Esther on 01235 851111 if you are interested.

The annual parish litter pick will take place on 28^th March meeting at the village hall at 9.30 for a cup of tea and a biscuit before we set off. Grabs, gloves and fluorescent vests will be provided.

Did you know that 25 million tonnes of litter is dropped in the UK each year that costs local authorities half a billion pounds to clear up.

Almost all of it is drink and food packaging; it weighs as much as 62,500 jumbo jets and kills or injures 69,000 animals.

The Oxford Touring Theatre Company will be returning to the village on Wednesday 8^th April at 7.30 in the Village Hall to stage RIVER’S UP a romantic comedy.

Tickets: £8, and £6 concession from Jessie 01235 851206

The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on the Monday 6^th April at 8.00 in the Village Hall. Please come along any time after 7.30 and join us before the meeting for a drink and a biscuit.

This year we want you to come along not to hear about the things that we have done but to give us your help and guidance on what you would like us to do over the next 12 months. Our plan for next year will be based on your requests.

In the past the meeting has been taken up listening to reports, this year we intend to make those reports available on the web 2 weeks in advance of the meeting. Copies of the reports will also be in the hall on the night or can be obtained in advance from Clare or myself.

On the evening authors of the reports will be asked to give a very short summary and answer your questions and listen to your advice.

Please come along to give us your support and opinions.

Mike Brown

Chairman Parish Council

"We will be doing the usual house to house collection for the Children’s Society from 21st March -  4th April.  Please be as generous as you can.   It would be good to hear from anyone who could collect envelopes in Fieldside.  

Please contact Clare Lightfoot – 850486 – if you can help."

For the year starting April 2009 the council has decided to keep its precept (the amount of your council tax that comes back to the parish) at £7250. This will be the fourth year at this level.

The cost to the average household will be 85P per week.

The Parish Council is looking for a volunteer to take on the role of Parish Transport Representative or someone who is prepared to assist the P.C. in monitoring the bus service and supplying the council with figures on usage and performance.

If you think you can help us in this area please give Mike Brown a call (850135) and he will go through what the job entails or agree with you the parts of the job where your input would be appreciated.

It is essential if we are to maintain our present level of bus service that we make ourselves heard in areas where decisions are made.

Mike Claydon one of our local community police officers will be holding a police surgery at Upton village hall on the 23^rd February 2009 at 19.00-20.00 hrs.

The surgery will be on a one to one basis where villagers can talk in confidence with Mike about any issues they feel he may be able to help with in his capacity as a PCSO.

A White Vauxhall Brava 4 x 4 was stolen from outside a house in Fieldside, Upton on Sunday evening (18th January 2009) at around 8.30pm.

If anyone saw anything would they please contact the police on 08458505505.