WEST OXFORD - OX2 - MARCH 2010WEST OXFORD - OX2 - 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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“Today is my own personal one year on LDN anniversary. I am doing great, the progression of my MS seems to have stopped, I am stronger and healthier than a year ago. This is why I am helping in this group LDNNow. We want all people with auto-immune diseases (not only MS) and even some cancers to be able to profit from this cheap, safe and effective little drug. But the only way we will ever get there will be if government s fund trials and research. Last year we petitioned the British government and we got over 13000 signatures. While we are awaiting answers we also have set up a petition to the European Parliament. It’s easy to sign, straight forward, done in half a minute. Just ignore the bit when they ask for funds, as this is part of a standard petition form. We want the EU parliament to listen to us, patients and friends. Please sign www.ipetitions.com/petition/ldnnow/. Silvia.”
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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 Botley Alzheimers Home is holding a big coffee event during the week starting Saturday 6th March. It will be launched at Sandford on Thames Village Hall between 10.30 and noon and followed by individual fundraising events during the week. If you would like to contribute by holding your own coffee morning or similar event please contact Jenny Slade 01865 722 541.
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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. The Development Innovation Fund (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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Skål International - Oxford is part of Skål International, a non-profit making association of Tourism Professionals Worldwide. The Oxford Club includes directors, managers and executives from travel agencies, hotels, attractions and transport who meet monthly to develop mutual interests in an informal and friendly atmosphere. If you have a tourist related business based in the Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, or Berkshire area, and are interested in becoming a member, get in touch with the Oxford Membership Officer, Joe Hickson, on 07786 520 667, or E-mail,
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Further information on www.skal-oxford.org.uk.
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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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Third Time lucky! The Sunningwell and District Gardening Club is hoping that this month they really will be welcoming back expert Christie Leary, after two postponements. Her topic is most apposite – ‘Back to the Fuchsias’. The meeting will be in the Village Hall in Sunningwell on Thursday 11th March, starting at 7.30 pm. Entry is £3 for non-members who have been more than twice before; and this includes refreshments. Two free goes, see! After the talk there’ll be a sales table, so, with an eye to the fuchsia, bring some pennies.
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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.
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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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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 and each costs an average of £2.5m a year to operate. 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. 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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As part of their tour of village venues, Blackheart, the rising stars of British contemporary folk music are at St. Michael’s Church, Steventon on Saturday 13th March at 7.30 to raise funds for the church. Blackheart are Chrissy Mostyn and Rick Pilkington who over the last three years have headlined their own successful tours across the UK, Scotland and Ireland. Tickets £6 from Caroline Miller 01235 834 015 or pay on the door.
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Oxfolk in Kennington presents a touch of the Ceilidhs at 8pm on Saturday 13th March at Kennington Village Hall. Trinculo is the band for the night, with a line up of sax, whistle, fiddle, melodeon, guitar and bass and they play in a distinctively edgy English style with youthful energy and vigour. During the interval, local group Ridgeway Step Clog will give a superb display of clog dancing. What else? Ticket at £9, family tickets 2x2 £25, and students get 6 for the price of 5 if you get there before 8.45. All right! Don’t panic! The venue is just over the road from ‘The Tandem’ and there’s a licensed bar selling real ale and other drinks.
On Saturday 27th a one day callers' workshop is running at Kennington Village Hall. A chance for anyone starting from absolute beginners to work with four expert callers and musicians. Oxfolk is also looking for new callers for next year, so this is could be your chance to shine, as well as learn something new. The workshop runs from 10 to 6 and tickets cost £10. To book contact Cat 07866 804 220 or go to www.catkelly.co.uk/cca
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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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Oxford Harmonic Society and The Orchestra of Stowe Opera are performing
J.S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion at Oxford Town Hall at 7.30pm on Saturday 20th March. It’s the Mendelssohn version in English. Tickets £12, £14 from Tickets Oxford 01865 305 305 or on the door.
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Need to burn off calories? Inspired to run for poorly kids? Then the OX5RUN 2010 is calling you. Why not consider joining in this run around Blenheim Palace and help the lives of sick youngsters at Oxford Children’s Hospital (CHOX)? Last year, 800 fun-runners from 16 to 85, and even Conservative leader David Cameron, pounded Blenheim Palace grounds to raise £57,000, which helped buy vital equipment such as a high-tech diagnostic machine for Neurology and a transport pod unit to move sick babies safely between hospitals. This year’s race, on Sunday April 18, aims to top 1,000 runners of all ages from 16 upwards.
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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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“We are a group of patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis who meet at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford on the second Tuesday of each month. In our next meeting at 6.30 on 9th March, pharmacist Janet Hemmingway will answer questions about the drugs we need to use. Maureen Cox our wonderful Rheumatology Nurse Specialist will be there to support us. We are a branch of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society and we are hoping to attract more members to our group to enable better understanding and ability to cope with this painful and debilitating condition. Contact NRAS on 0845 458 3969 for further information or turn up on the night – patients, friends and family welcome.” Sue Thwaite.
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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/
