WANTAGE, GROVE & FARINGDON - OX12 / SN7 - MARCH 2010WANTAGE, GROVE & FARINGDON - OX12 / SN7 - MARCH 2010
March! Lovely! Two Welsh Saints’ Days to celebrate! Dai the noted outside half and Paddy on the wing. They didn’t do Wales much good at Twickenham last month though. Never mind! Cockles and Guinness all round! My little daffs are on schedule, the sun’s coming back, and I can start whispering sweet nothings to my baby begonias. My carrots, beans and onions are ready to go in, and my chilli peppers are building up a head of steam. I like March!
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And to show that the sheep believe that spring has sprung, there are ‘Lambing Weekends’ up at Hill Farm, Little Wittenham on the 20th, 21st, 27th and 28th between 10 and 4. Tractor trailer rides, sheep dog demonstrations, children’s activities and games plus a chance to see a lamb being born. Not suitable for pregnant type ladies though! Teas on sale in the Poem Tree refreshment barn. Families £10 for 2x2, or adults £4, children £2. No booking necessary.
And time to get weaving if you fancy making your own baskets and things as the Northmoor Trust has organised a workshop up at Hill Farm on the 14th between 10.30 and 4.30. Cost £50 via 01865 407 792.
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And a freebee for your mum if you’re crafty. Roves Farm is offering free admission on Mother’s Day, the 14th, as long as she’s accompanied by a paying child. Goodoh! As my mum’s eldest child, I think I’ll take her along for a willow craft session and she can treat me to a cream tea in the Granary Room afterwards. Or should that be the other way around? And another bonus for mum! Over the Easter holidays you can lose your offspring on an ‘Easter Bunny Hunt’ around the farm. While this is going on, you, yourself can go “Aahh” at the newborn babies around every corner or join the craft group and make soppy things like chicks, flowers and bunny masks. Open from 31st March to 18th April.
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Abingdon Quilting Group’s Quilting Exhibition takes place at the Sewell Centre Gallery at Radley College between 10 and 4 on the weekend of the 27th and 28th. At 2pm on Saturday, Linda Seward will be giving a talk in Silk Hall. Entry fee £5. On Sunday, Clare Kingslake is demonstrating Appliqué between 11 and 3. Entry £2 or entry and talk £5. The raffle is in aid of The Abingdon Alzheimers Club and profits from refreshments will go to Flexicare.
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The Blaenavon Male Voice Choir will be in concert at St. Mary’s Church, Buckland at 7.30 on Saturday 20th.Tickets £12 to includes glass of wine. Tickets from Faringdon Information Centre, The Nut Tree 2 The Cornmarket or on 01367 240 145. All proceeds in aid of the restoration of the church bells. Sounds appealing!
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I went to Blaenavon once. It was closed!
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The Fire Fighters Charity and Grove House Hospice will visit Bovingdon Airfield, Near Hemel Hempstead on the 14th March to give women the chance to drive a once in a lifetime variety of large and unusual vehicles in the ‘Ladies Driving Challenge’. Participants will be able to try manoeuvring a range of different vehicles such as Fire Engines, 4x4’s, HGV’s, JCB’s and possibly tractors all kindly donated by local companies. All women over the age of 17 with a full driving licence are welcome to join in the fun. Registration costs £10 and entrants are asked to raise a minimum of £90 in sponsorship. Ask for a registration pack from Laura Harden on 07798 725 560 or
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or register on-line at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/ldc
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After a very successful event in 2009 the Rotary Club of Abingdon Vesper are getting ready for Dragon Boat 2010 scheduled for Sunday 9th May. As usual there will be the races, funfair, stalls, bar, food and children’s entertainment. Teams are now being invited to enter the event, which raises may thousands of pounds for charity. Full details are available on www.abingdon-rotary.org.uk/events/current/index
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Jenny Kuca is the Regional Ovarian Cancer Coordinator and invites you to join her for tea at East Hagbourne Village Hall on Saturday the 6th between 2.30 and 4.30 to help raise funds for research into ovarian cancer. And that’s not all; there’ll be homemade cakes and jams for sale as well as cards, books, jewellery and paintings. You might even win an original drawing from international artist, Ann Edwards, worth over £200! Entrance £2.50
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Voluntary groups such as the Scouts, Women’s Institute and Rotary Clubs are to get the chance to secure Government support for their work with poor people in the developing world. All small not-for-profit groups aiming to help the world’s poorest people are being encouraged to apply for a share of funding through the new scheme ‘The Development Innovation Fund (DIF). The DIF will provide funding up to £60,000 for one-off projects lasting up to one year. All local groups in the South East, no matter what their size, can make a positive contribution to communities in developing countries living in extreme poverty. Applications can be submitted to any of three rounds over the next 16 months and groups can bid for funding for any number of individual projects. To find out more about DIF, visit www.dfid.gov.uk/dif
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The Electoral Commission is reminding people living in temporary accommodation that they don’t need a permanent address to have a say at the next General Election. The independent elections watchdog is encouraging residents in shelters, hostels and B&Bs to discuss how to register to vote. Visit www.electoralcommissio.org.uk or your local authority.
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Wantage Poetry Club meets at 7pm on alternate Mondays at the Bear Hotel for verse readings, both their own and by others. All newcomers welcomed. Just turn up on the 15th or a fortnight later, or contact Julian Higman at
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Downland Dance is presenting ‘The Dreamcatcher’ and other ballets at 2.30 and 7.30 on 13th March at the Amey Theatre at Abingdon School. This beautiful show includes over 100 performers with dancers coming from both the Abingdon and Didcot areas. A wide age group is represented ranging from 3year old to senior adults. Tickets at £10 from Centre Stage, Coxeter House, Abingdon. Strikes me that with 100 performers and the proud parents, grannies and assorted siblings you’ll have to be quick before they sell out.
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Maggie’s Oxford, the Cancer Caring Centre, is designating Friday March 26th as ‘Love Maggie’s Day.’ They provide support to cancer sufferers their family and friends and is presently based in a dilapidated building in the grounds of the Churchill Hospital gut hope to build a new Centre by 2012. For more details see maggiescentres.org/lovemaggiesday
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Do you know, I nearly choked on my cocoa when I saw that! Love Maggie’s Day.’ I thought it referred to that bold, handsome and ruthless killer that is running out of control around the countryside. My garden blackbirds are for ever coming to me to complain and I have to rush out and chase magpies away from their systematic pillaging of nests and killing of fledglings. I ‘ates magpies.
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And still with our feathered friends, or otherwise, Al Dawes will be telling the Abingdon Naturalists about ‘The Great Bustard Project at Abingdon School at 7.30 on the 31st. If you remember, young birds were brought over from Russia and released on Salisbury Plain. Last year they bred for the first time since 1832. Hm! So that’s why we’ve had to make do with turkey instead!
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Children’s Hospice Week, running from the 15th to the 22nd May is a fun and interactive charity campaign set to raise the profile of and funds for children’s hospices. There are 44 children’s hospices across the UK, which provide care and support for children and young people with life-limiting conditions. Each hospice costs an average of £2.5m a year to operate and in this challenging economic climate need all the support possible. Hero themed activities will be talking place up and down the country and supporters will be given the opportunity to take part in dress up days, parachute jumps, casino nights and cross country bike rides. Superman or supermum? To find out more, visit www.childrenshospiceweek.org.uk.
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Faringdon and District University of The Third Age will meet at 2.15 on Thursday 11th March in Faringdon Corn Exchange. Margaret Ward will give a PowerPoint presentation on her work with ‘The Witness Service’ which provides emotional support, practical help and essential information to victims, witnesses and others affected by crime. Further information from Ian Clarkson (Chairman) 01793 782 836 or on www.FaringdonU3A.org.uk.
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Vale residents are being encouraged to get their trainers on and run for fun by taking part in the Vale Go-Active Mile to help raise money for Sport Relief. This year’s Vale event is taking place on 21st March in the beautiful surroundings of Ardington, near Wantage. The event costs £5 for adults, £2 for under 16s, and £12 for families of 2x2. The day starts with the six mile run at 11am, followed by the three mile run at 11.30 and the single mile at noon. The Mile is always fun and 200 people took part and raised lots of money for Sports Relief in the last event. To sign up for the Vale Go-Active Mile visit www.sportrelief.com. This year Sport Relief is from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 March when the whole of the UK will come together to get active, raise cash and change lives. All the money raised is spent by Comic Relief to help transform the lives of poor and vulnerable people, both at home and across the world’s poorest countries.
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ARCh (Assisted Reading for Children) is a local registered charity which operates in Oxfordshire Primary Schools to help children who are struggling with reading. Could you help a child and change their life forever? All it takes is one and a half hours twice a week during the school day in a primary school near you. You don’t need any qualifications, just patience, enthusiasm and kindness. Full training is given together with ongoing support and travel expenses. To find out more Visit www.archoxfordshire.org.uk or telephone 01869 320 380
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The women's ‘World Day of Prayer’ will be taking place on the 5th March. A prayer service prepared by the Christian women of Cameroon will be used in over 170 countries around the world. More than 5000 services will take place in this country alone. In Wantage services twill be held at St John Vianney RC Church at 1.30pm, when the speaker is Linda Atkinson and at Grove Parish Church at 8pm with Pauline Selhi. All are welcome; men, women and young people.
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Singing for your supper! Wantage Concert Brass presents a Supper Concert at 7.30 on the 13th at East Challow Village Hall. Alan Sykes is the conductor, so I suppose he can have a chew while wagging his stick. Tickets at £8 include a Ploughman’s from Wantage Museum, Grove Pharmacy or on 01235 770 378.
‘A Sense of Place’ is the title of an exhibition of paintings, prints and drawings by Michele Wallington at the Downland Museum between 2nd and 13th March. It’s the first solo exhibition by Michele didn’t start to paint seriously until later in life when she gained a Fine Arts degree, and her show will focus on places that have inspired her including the wilds of Dartmoor and the north coast of Cornwall. There’s a chance to meet her in the Upper Gallery and find out more about her work on Saturday.
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Wantage Male Voice Choir’s Annual Concert takes place at 7pm on Saturday 27th March at the Old Mill Hall, School Lane, Grove. Their guests will be ‘Fantasia’, a group of young singers based in Wantage. Tickets at Brett’s Pharmacy, Grove and at the Museum, or phone Nick, 01235 768 249.
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The casualty rate must be fairly high! I blame the sticks and booty things. And the pewter pint pots! Icknield Way Morris Men would like some new blood. Should I rephrase that? Nah! They practice in Grove Scout Hut, 8pm every Wednesday, so if you’d like to join in ring 07855 548 512 or go to www.icknieldwaymorrismen.org.uk.
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Described by The Guardian as "the finest instrumental duo on the traditional scene" and twice winners of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Duo. John Spiers and Jon Boden will provide a big, thumping night out on Sunday the 7th at Thomas Hughes Memorial Hall, Uffington. And what’s more, you get the Icknield Way Morris’s during the interval. That’s when the bar is open isn’t it? Real ale! £12.50 entrance via 01367 820 282.
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There’s a St Patrick’s Special with ‘Folk in the Abingdon Arms on the 19th. ’Spect there’ll be Guinness. Ring 07855 548 512 for details.
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At the flicks with the Valley Film Society at East Garston Village Hall! On the 27th, there’s a screening of ‘Bolt’ at 3pm; and after charity fund raiser buffet, ‘Slumdog Millionaire’. Back to the normal time of 7.30 for the 5th April for a showing of Gomorra, an inside look at a contemporary Neapolitan mob drama that exposes Italy's criminal underbelly. Allegedly the best gangster movie since ‘City of God’. A fish and chip supper ordered at the door when you come in will be ready when the ice cream dolly comes around. For membership information contact Penny Brewer on 01488 72305.
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Didcot Arts Forum presents Showaddywaddy live at Didcot Civic Hall on the 13th. Remember ‘Three steps to Heaven’ and ‘Under the Moon of Love’? Tickets at £18 from Didcot One Stop Shop and the Civic Hall. Tables for all events can be booked for 6 or more
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It’s ‘Four Legged Friends Day’ at Whitehorse Hill Uffington on Saturday 20th March. Join in a fun doggy day out with National Trust wardens who’ll be on hand to lots of information about dog walking. Abivale Veterinary Group will be give advice about your dog's health and the Abingdon Dog Training Club will be running obedience training and offering behaviour hints and tips. The Dog's Trust will be giving guidance on everything from buying a new dog to micro-chipping an old one. Any time between 10am and 3pm.
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There’s one thing missing there! Dog owners’ responsibility classes! And the necessity to clear up after their dear little mutts! As a dog lover myself, I’m only too aware of the fouling of local footpaths by dogs whose owners seem to take them for a walk solely for purposes of defecation. Apart from being illegal and anti-social, it’s a health hazard, particularly to children. A little plastic bag isn’t that hard to carry!
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Right! That’s my little rant over, so on with the motley Muttley!
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‘Astronomy and the Early Royal Society’. Now that’s an interesting topic! The members of the Abingdon Astronomical Society will learn all about it from Dr. Allan Chapman of Oxford University when they turn up at All Saints Methodist Church Hall at 8pm on the 8th. Then it’s out in the cold at on the first fine night between the 15th and 19th for a spot of observing at the Frilford Heath Gold Driving Range You’re certainly likely to see stars there if you don’t duck fast enough! Call Ian Smith on 07817 687 627 to arrange the weather. And you beginners haven’t been left out. There’s a meeting for you back in the hall at 8pm on the 22nd.
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I don’t know if it’s an ‘Urban Myth’ but burglars in the area are apparently targeting houses by leaving blank post-it notes on windows, if they’re still there a couple of days later then they break in to the house.
-A stick up?-
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The Readers' Voice
Second Convention for Readers and Reading Groups
to be held at Jesus College, Oxford on 27 March, 2010.
See our website http://thereadersvoice.googlepages.com/
Whatever your taste in books,
this is an opportunity to network with other readers,
meet experts in the book world and
be inspired by reading group projects at work in the community.
Talks, debates and hands-on workshops where
you can hear about the reading technologies of the future or
take tuition in performance reading or
learn how literature reflects the big issues of our day.
Morning coffee and biscuits, afternoon tea and cakes included. Lunch not provided. (See website for details of lunch options.)
Tickets for whole-day programme: £37 B4 Mar 10, £40 after,
concessions £35 (retired and students)
Box Office (from 5 February) @ Tickets Oxford*
Oxford Playhouse,
Beaumont Street,
Oxford OX1 2LW
01865 305305
http://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/ticketsoxford/
