BodicoteNewsThe

February/March 2012KEEPING YOU IN TOUCH WITH OUR VILLAGE

SCHOOL INVASION BY VIKINGS! Page 6

FOOTPATH SAGA CONTINUES Pg 1

JUBILEE PLANS Pg 10

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Tel/Fax: 01295 265645 Email: jph.electrical@virgin.net

Jason HermonMobile 07889 235919

Wykham Park Farm Shopfor quality produce

Linking the Environment and Farming

Our own Angus X and Longhorn beef, lamb and Gloucester Old Spot pork

Locally supplied poultry and game in season

Home grown seasonal vegetables – asparagus our speciality

Delicious home made cakes, preserves, breads etc

Wide range of farmhouse cheeses

Free Range Eggs

8.30–5.30 Mon–Fri 8.30–3pm Sat 10.00–1pm Sun

Wykham Lane, Banbury OX16 9UP Tel. 01295 262235

www.wykhampark.co.uk

The saga started with an Oxfordshire County Councilproposal to approve a request for the footpath to bemoved some 65 metres away from its original routethat took it directly in the front of Bodicote Mill.

Local ramblers objected and they were supportedby Bodicote Parish Council and the issue went to apublic inquiry at the end of last year. After hearing theevidence, the inquiry inspector concluded that the“overall interests of the applicants prevail” and heconfirmed the order for the diversion.

The inspector agreed a 90-day delay before thenew arrangements came into effect so that work,including the installation of kissing gates on thediversion route, could be completed and opponents ofthe diversion were given six weeks in which to respond.

The new arrangements should start from nextmonth, but now the case is set to go to court as theRamblers Association and the Open Space Society havemounted a legal challenge. They have called for aJudicial Review of the public inquiry proceedings onthe grounds that the inspector failed to adequately

address all the relevant factors. Michael Shotton and Eddie Tait, two local ramblers

who were involved in the campaign to prevent thediversion of the footpath, attended the Januarymeeting of the parish council and thanked thecouncillors for their support.

Mike Shotton asked that the village authority passa resolution pledging its continued support against thediversion and said: “It’s important that when theJudicial Review goes before the court that the court isaware that the parish council’s position is still thesame.”

On a majority vote, the council went on recordthat it maintained its objections to the diversion.

Two councilors abstained and one of them,Councillor Jeremy Sacha, said: “We objected becausewe felt the diversion would be to the detriment of thefootpath users and the inspector found against this. Welost on our position and I think we should accept thedecision because these new objections are just on legalissues.”

FOOTPATH DIVERSION WILL BE CHALLENGED IN COURTThe saga of the diversion of the historic Bodicote to Bloxham footpathhas taken another twist and turn and now looks set to end in the courts

Gateway to the future…the new entrance to the footpath diversion

CHURCH NewsCHURCH News CHURCH Diary

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FEBRUARY DATES1st 9.30am Holy Communion BCP

4th 7.00pm Film Club, British comedy night

5th THIRD SUNDAY BEFORE LENT8.00am Holy Communion BCP9.45am Holy Communion followed by Cake Sale11.30am Family Service4.00pm Evensong

8th 9.30am Holy Communion BCP

12th SECOND SUNDAY BEFORE LENT 8.00am Holy Communion BCP9.45am Holy Communion & Sunday Club 4.00pm Evensong

14th 2.30pm Toddlers’ Service

15th 9.30am Holy Communion BCP

19th SUNDAY BEFORE LENT8.00am Holy Communion BCP9.45am Holy Communion & Sunday Club

Pancakes4.00pm Evensong

20th 3.35pm Genesis Group

22nd ASH WEDNESDAY8.55am School Service Years 5 & 6 with Ashing *

*a sign of our mortality and of God’s mercy9.30am Holy Communion BCP with Ashing*10.30am Magazine Folding Party in Dillon House7.30pm Holy Communion with Ashing*

23rd 11.15am Fairholme Communion

26th FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT8.00am Holy Communion BCP9.45am All Age Holy Communion and Sunday Club

for younger children4.00pm Holy Communion

27th 3.35pm Genesis Group

28th 8.55am School Service Years 3 & 411.30am Prayer Walk12.30pm Lent Lunch2.30pm Toddlers’ Service

29th 9.30am Holy Communion BCP

MARCH DATES2nd 2.00pm Women’s World Day of Prayer in Methodist Chapel3rd 7.00pm Film Club

4th SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT8.00am Holy Communion BCP9.45am Holy Communion & Baptisms of Bailey & Skye Collier11.30am Family Service4.00pm Evensong

PRAYER WALK28th Feb 11.30am

DAILY MORNING ANDEVENING PRAYERAll welcome, any day,to stop and be still fora moment, reflect onthe day gone orcoming. 9.00am – Mon, Tues,Thurs, Frid4.30pm – Mon–Frid

NOTE THE DATE:

FILM CLUB 4th Feb at 7pm for adelicious meal followed by the filmat the Church House

WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER2nd March at 2pm,Methodist Chapel

LENT LUNCH28th Feb 12.30pm

CHURCH HOMEGROUPSFriday and Thursdayevenings, fortnightly(See page 6)

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLDThere has always been the Faith and Deeds debate:if you have faith in God’s goodness and grace, doyou actually need to interact with and change theworld? St James concludes that “As the body with-out the spirit is dead, so faith without appropriatedeeds is dead” James 2.26.

So both faith and action need to be practised.On our own we cannot put everything right, but

the question should be, which parts are we going totry and make a difference to? Social, Justice, Ecoproblems, to name a few.

We all need to develop more of an eco lifestyle –for the future world’s sake as well as our ownpockets. We have only one world. Ellen MacArthur,the round-the-world yachtswoman, says that on herboat she ekes out every drop of fuel because she onlyhas one tank of fuel for her journey. In the world wehave only a fixed amount of crude oil – we need toration it.

We can’t put the world right all by ourselves butwe can play our part.

The churches in this area are going to go out asStreet Pastors on some weekend nights to try to offerhelp and a caring presence outside pubs and clubs.This is an exciting and scary venture for the membersof our church who are going to start the training thismonth.

I am also asking you now, the BodicoteCommunity, if there is anything you would like thechurch to do if we can. We do want to continue tomake a difference for good.

What can you do and what can the church do toserve the community? Please think and let me know.

Ben May God guide and bless us in this year.

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH Lent is an important part of the church calendar andthere is more to it than just giving up a favouritefood or drink!

It’s a forty-day period before Easter begins onAsh Wednesday. (We skip Sundays when we count theforty days, because Sundays commemorate theResurrection.)

This year Lent begins on 22nd February and endson 7th April, which is the day before Easter.

Lent began in the very earliest days of the Churchas a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful re-dedicated themselves and when new believers wereinstructed in the faith and prepared for baptism.

By observing the forty days of Lent, theindividual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal intothe wilderness for forty days.

Each year we organize a Lent Course to help us toprepare for Easter Day and Jesus’ gloriousresurrection.

As in previous years we plan to have groups invarious homes during Lent studying and discussingand enjoying each other’s company.

We will be using a course entitled “Handing onthe Torch” with contributions from ArchbishopSentamu and Clifford Longley amongst others.

The course will discuss questions including:

“Should mothers have the right to know if theirteenage daughters are being prescribed contra-ceptives?”

“What are the advantages of celibate clergy?”

“’Proper’ Christian names for ourselves” – the Popeurges us to have them.

“Should the Muslim call to prayer sound out overour towns as well as church bells?”

Please contact Ben if you would like to knowmore (270174)

WHAT DOES LENT MEAN TO US?

Why get married? Why think about getting married?People can often have very different reasons for wanting to get mar-ried – I’m not going to go into that, as it would take too long and takeup too much space in this excellent magazine!

OK, the decision is made. The date is sorted for the reception, familyand friends told, all the other odds and ends agreed and so to thewedding day.

Hold on a minute! Have we thought about after the wedding day?How about the implications of committing ourselves to a long-termrelationship? Will we be able to sort out the differences when they comeup – and they will!

I would suggest that our Marriage Preparation morning could be auseful way of starting to consider these implications.

It’s not a heavy list of dos and don’ts – but a fun and lighthearted lookat the issues, some teaching and ideas, some discussion in your own coupleand a bit of laughing as a group.

Anyone is welcome even if they are not getting married in church. Think about it please and contact me Ben Phillips (270174) if you are

interested.PS An added incentive – coffee and chocolate muffins will be available

at a cost of £5.00.

MARRIAGE PREPERATION MORNINGFebruary 11th 10.00am – 12.30pm in Church House

The Bodicote Christian UnityGroup is planning a short walkon Tuesday February 28th,11.30am–12.30pm begin-ning and ending at ChurchHouse.

We will stop along theway to pray for various partsof our village and its life.Everyone is welcome – just turnup, but we would also love to hearfrom anyone who knows they willbe able to come so that we mayshape it to suit you. (Contact Ben or Dorothy 262784).

The walk will be followed by aLent Lunch of soup and bread at12.30pm, as on all Tuesdays inMarch12.30–1.15pm with a quietBible reflection.

Donation £2 for a charity.

PRAYER WALKPRAYING FOR OUR COMMUNITY

FILM CLUB 3rd March at 7pm fora delicious meal followed by the filmat the Church House

MAGAZINE FOLDING PARTYDillon House10.30am

NB Sunday Evening services move to 4pm from the8th January during January and February

LENT LUNCHESEvery Tuesday in March 12.30 at the Church House

VILLAGE News

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CHURCH News

4

It was lovely to hear that a village resident hadfamily staying from London out on a Boxing Daywalk, who, passing the church, said “What a shamewe can’t go in and look around.” The local said, “Ithink it is open” – and it was.Fortunately we are able to leave it open every dayfrom 9–5pm. Everyone is always welcome to comeand enjoy some peace, quiet and time to open uptheir hearts to the God of life and love. The churchis there for you, to treasure, to make it what itshould be and to pass on to the next generationwith its Good News to share.

GOOD NEWS… our church is open.

NEW ZEALAND FAMILY HEAD HOME Bailey and Skye Collier who lived in Bodicote andattended Bishop Loveday School some years ago areretuning here for their baptism into God’s worldwidefamily on the 4th March. We look forward to wel-coming them on their visit.

FILM CLUBSaturday February 4th

How to set about Saving Grace?Prim and proper housewife Grace Trevethyn findsherself unexpectedly widowed, in dire financial straitswhen she inherits massive debts that her late husbandhad been accruing for years, and is faced with losingher house. She decides to use her talent forhorticulture, and hatches a plan to grow potentmarijuana, which can be sold at an astronomical price,thus solving her financial crisis. Grace and hergardener's efforts to hide their illegal enterprise fromthe quaint and curious townsfolk and market theirproduct compose the remainder of the film. StarringBrenda BlethynTickets from Lynette 264647. Delicious meal, with thefilm thrown in only £8.50!

25th MarchFollowing the success of their CD and debut concertin Deddington, the Collared Doves are returning witha first concert in Bodicote. Come and support andenjoy the Revs of Bodicote and Deddington in song.Details to follow

Saturday March 31st SPRING FAYRE10.00am–12 noon in Church House

A time to meet, buy and contribute to the funds. There will be usual stalls including the ever-popularcake stall – which usually sells out within minutes –and a raffle.

ADVANCE NOTICES

More information will be available in the

March Church Magazine but this Club

generally fills up very quickly.

EASTER HOLIDAY CLUBTuesday April 3rd to Thursday April 5th

You can order your Real Easter Egg by signing up inchurch:

Fairtrade Chocolate Easter Egg with the realChristian Easter story told. The eggs cost £4.00 eachwhich includes a donation to charity

Don’t forget Fairtrade Fortnight begins on 26th February.

In the last edition we unfortunately printed the wrongdate for the funeral of

Williamina (Winnie) Page

The funeral took place on November 14th 2011. We apologise for this error.

We commend to God’s love those who have died andwhose funerals have taken place:

Rose Taylor January 6thReginald Mayfield January 10thChristine Timbrell January 16th

Sophie Meadows January 15th

We welcome into God’s family those who have beenbaptised:

In the last edition we unfortunately printed the wrongdate for the wedding of

Ross Treseder and Melanie Wilson.

The date should have read October 22nd 2011. We apologise for this error and everyone at Bodnewswould like to wish them both every happiness in theirfuture life together.

CHURCH HOME GROUPSThere are two home groups that meet regularly forfriendship, fellowship and learning together.They are held fortnightly, one on Friday evening, theother on Thursday evening. Please come along.

Two familiar faces are back with the neighbour-hood policing team that looks after Bodicote andother villages in the area.

PSCO Nikki DALE has returned after a period ofabsence and Sergeant Bruce Riddell has returned tothe team following a short period as acting Inspectorfor the Cherwell Local Policing Area.

PC Richard Miller is still acting as sergeant inBicester and so PC O’Leary is now on attachment tothe team.

BACK ON DUTY

The neighbourhood policing team is reminding peo-ple of the new Thames Valley Police non-emergencycontact number. If you want to report a non emer-gency incident you now call 101. This replaces the0845 8 505 505 that was previously in use. Such inci-dents can also be reported online via the website:www.thamesvalley.police.uk/reportonline.In an emergency, you should always dial 999.

NEW NUMBER

Banbury Floral Art Group is tohold future meetings inBodicote Church House. Thegroup will meet on the firstMonday of each month, com-mencing 6th February at 7.30p.m.There will be demonstrations byNAFAS demonstrators and work-shops; and an open invitation has beenextended to Bodicote residents who wouldlike to enjoy a relaxing evening with friends old andnew.For further information call Margaret on 253891 orPam on 251187.

FLORAL INVITE

REAL EASTER EGG!

SECURE YOUR VEHICLESThames Valley Police have issued a warning inregard to recent instances of caravans and trailersbeing stolen from peoples’ premises.

They are urging all owners to ensure they havesuitable security on these vehicles, such as wheelclamps, hitch locks or ground anchors to preventthese valuable items from being stolen.

Please pass this message on to neighbours,especially owners of caravans and trailers, and reportany suspicious activity by calling 101 withinformation or 999 for immediate police attention.

DNA EVIDENCE TRAPS BURGLARModern scientific police work has resulted in a manbeing arrested and charged following a series ofburglaries in Bodicote.

Between the 19 and 20 November last year, theBodicote Flyover Farm Shop and the neighbouringBishop Loveday School were broken into. As a result,damage was caused to both properties and variousitems stolen.

After taking and examining DNA evidenceobtained at the scene of the farm shop burglary, amale was interviewed and subsequently charged.

POLICE REPORTPOLICE REPORTROYAL BRITISH LEGIONPOPPY APPEAL REPORTLast year, which ended on 30 September2011, the Legion’s Poppy Appealraised £36,651,339.37 which repre-sents just over a third of the moneyrequired to carry out its work.

The total raised by the whole ofBodicote Branch since 1st October 2011is £13,056.97 nearly £350 over last year’sfinal total. Bodicote’s contribution was£10,078.36 which is £166 below last year’s total. OurSub-Branch Balscote and Shutford’s total was£2,978.61, an increase of £514. So well done Balscoteand Shutford for all your efforts! We are well on theway to setting a new record.

I would like to thank all the collectors for theirhard work over Remembrancetide, and of course thegeneral public for their generosity.

The amount we collect through the HomeCollection Units has fallen significantly over the last2–3 years. On average a unit filled with 1p and 2pcoins adds up to about £2 so if you would like tolighten the load on your purse or pocket have a HomeCollection Unit. Give me a ring and one will be yoursfor the asking.

John MillsPoppy Appeal Organiser 265629

GOOD NEWS FOR NEWSThe Bodicote News is delighted to hear that Bodicote

Parish Council has found room in its budget to make

a donation of £100 towards the cost of producing

this free local newspaper. The Bodicote News is pub-

lished six times a year by its team of volunteers and

1200 copies are delivered free to all homes in the

Bodicote Parish with extra for the Church and

Bodicote Stores.

The mobile library service visits thevillage on Wednesdays. It stops atpark End from 9.20am to 9.50am,Weeping cross from 9.55am to10.10am and Dillon Court from10.15am to 10.55am.

Those unable to use the mobile service or visit alibrary either through age, illness or disability can stillenjoy reading, listening to music or watching filmsthrough the Home Library Service.

If you know of anyone who you think could benefitfrom the Home Library Service or if you would like tobecome a volunteer for the service contact BanburyLibrary 01295 268249.

LIBRARY SERVICE

SCHOOL Report

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SCHOOL Report

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These Year Four pupils pictured above dressed as Vikings as part of their study on Invaders and they and theirclassmates organised a museum day so that parents and friends could join in.The children put on various activities such as felt making, jewellery making, cooking, fighting, singing andinformation sharing. Approximately 100 adults visited the museum and it was wonderful for them to be able to see the active learn-ing taking place. Year 1 pupils are also exploring history and they enjoyed a visit to Oxford Castle as part of their project.Our front cover picture shows headteacher Chris Woodward in fighting mood during the visit to the InvadersMuseum event.

Staff at Bishop Loveday School have been asked bythe county education authorities to come to the aid ofa neighbouring school that is failing.

In what is seen as a tribute to the work that hasseen a marked improvement in performance at theBodicote school, the senior management team hastaken up what headteacher Chris Woodward describedas “a very exciting project” to support Middle BartonPrimary School, which has just gone into specialmeasures.

She said: “This will mean that some of our staff willbe sharing their experience with the staff at MiddleBarton and we will also be sharing staff training.”

Chris and her deputy Philip Goldsworthy will sharethe leadership role to enable the school to moveforward.

“We and members of our senior managementteam will be spending some of our time at MiddleBarton School, but obviously our commitment todevelop our school to become outstanding remains ourpriority,” said Chris.

As part of the plan, Peter George will now be inYear 5POG full time, although will still be working withgroups of children in his class.

Chris added: “Obviously this will require extrawork from the senior management team, so in returnwe will receive revenue into Bishop Loveday School incompensation.

“We will be using the £30,000 offered by thecounty to increase staffing within our own school andfor initiatives that we may not have been able toentertain without this funding.”

Parents are being asked to make sure their childrenwait until they are off the school premises beforethey ride their scooters or bicycles.There have been a number of instances where chil-dren have been riding around the playground whileparents chat at the end of the school day and thishas raised safety concerns.

CLUB SUCCESSThe Breakfast Club that was started at the schoollast year is proving a runaway success. Originallythere were only a handful of children using the facil-ity, but now Miss Harrison has taken on the role ofExtended Schools Co-ordinator and there are nearly30 children enjoying breakfast and activities beforeschool while their parents go off to work.

Safety messengers... safety mascot Ivor Goodsite visited theschool to warn children of the dangers on building sites

Building work on the new Year 6 classrooms is pro-gressing well and the builders are hoping for the goodweather to continue so that they will be able to meetthe completion target at Easter.

And although extremely busy, the Arts Contract Ltdteam found the time to meet the children and to givethem a few tips on how to stay safe on building sites.

They were helped by Ivor Goodsite, the colourfulconstruction industry safety mascot who proved a bighit with the children. He set them a challenge to designa safety poster based on what they had learned.

Teacher Pam Wilson said: “The children absolutelyloved it. Stressing the importance of safety was the aimand it could not have been done better.

“Ivor Goodsite added fun to the subject and youcould sense the excitement of the children.”

Henry Blencowe, Chair of Governors, said: “Wehave now reached our fundraising target for the buildand our thanks go to the whole community who haveworked really hard at a variety of events.

“We will be continuing to raise funds as we wouldlike to build a covered walkway from the newclassrooms to the main school and to equip theclassrooms with all the latest furnishings andequipment.”

The next fundraiser will be the Scooby Doo racenight on 10 February and this promises to be a funevent

Last term finished in fine style with children, pictured above, performing lovely Christmas plays and carol services for parents and friends.The school hall was packed for every performance and school Governor Henry Blencowe said: “They put on awonderful show and it was a tribute to all the hard work of both the staff and the children. They reallybrought home to us the true meaning of Christmas.” The children were themselves able to enjoy parties and they had a surprise treat when the staff, picturedabove right, dressed up and put on their own show.

YOUNG INVADERS DISPLAY SKILLS

THE MESSAGE AND FUN OF CHRISTMAS BISHOP LOVEDAY STAFFANSWER CALL FOR HELP

A Christmas message… BishopLoveday School pupils delighteda packed audience with theirperformance of the Nativity

Children at Bishop Loveday School areto be set an eco-challenge and the parishcouncil is putting up an annual £50 prize.

The project is aimed at encouraging pupilsto walk or cycle to and from school. Twice a term eachclass will record for one week how children got to school.Even children who are being delivered to school byparents on the way to work can take part if they aredropped off a short distance from the school instead ofright outside the school gates.

Councillor Jeremy Sacha said: “This ticks all theboxes as it relates to global warming and fitness and itcould even help reduce traffic congestion at peaktimes.”

ECO CHALLENGE

Bishop Loveday School has welcomed James Wilkins-Marsh to the teaching team and Bodicote residentGerald Woodfield has been appointed as the newjanitor.

The school said their farewells to Mrs Hill who hasbeen preparing meals in the school canteen for thepast 33 years.

“We would like to thank her for her many yearsof service and wish her well for her retirement,” saidheadteacher Chris Woodward.

RIDE SAFELY

HELLO AND GOODBYE

NEIGHBOURLY News

9

VILLAGE News

8

Students from Bodicote who attend the WarrinerSchool at Bloxham will know later this year whetheror not they will be able to stay on for sixth form atthe school.

Informal consultation around hopes to extend theage range to include Sixth Form students has nowclosed and head teacher Dr A Kay said: “I am delightedwith the huge amount of positive support we havereceived from students, parents and our community.

“If you did take the time to comment then Iwould like to take this opportunity to thank you.”

The school has now moved on to the statutoryconsultation stage and a final decision is expected tobe made in May.

Dr A Kay said: “I am also delighted that a growingnumber of our current Year 11 students are planning

to take us up on our offer of A level teaching inpartnership with OCVC and plans are underway toprovide them with their own common room, kitchenarea and ICT suite.”

At the recent parent forum, a range ofsubjects were discussed, including a range oftopics around the theme of Grow (things we coulddo more of), Keep (things we do well) and Change(things that have either had their day or we donot do well).

Behaviour for learning, improvements to theschool website, which are being implemented,language options, curriculum developments andthe homework club were also discussed.

The next parent forum takes place on 19March at 6pm in the Hall.

HEAD PLEASED BY POSITIVE SUPPORT FOR SIXTH FORM PLAN

Tonya Fitz-Johnson, of the Thames Valley Police, gavea very informative presentation on police photogra-phy at a recent meeting of the AdderburyPhotographic Society.

Her responsibility is for the Forensic InvestigationUnit and she showed examples of police forensic workand demonstrated a 360 degree Scene of Crime camera.

Tonya also discussed 'image mannequin'techniques, where an image is prepared of a corpse onwhich injuries are electronically superimposed –avoiding unpleasant photographs in court.

The Society meets on the first Wednesday of themonth at the Cartwright Hotel, Aynho, starting at7.30pm, and there is an open invitation for anyoneinterested in photography to join them.

ARRESTING PRESENTATIONFOR PHOTOGRAPHERS

Upton House launches its 2012 calendar with a won-derful array of special events for all the family. Eventsinclude:11–13 Feb: Sugar and Spice and all things nice –

children’s cooking; booking essential. 17 Feb: Kids Art Club 11.30–3pm;

only £2 for children23 Feb: Herbal Workshop 10am–12 noon;

booking essential. 10 March: Spring Art Focus24 March: The History Papers –

explore the archives and help in the conservation of the Library.

6–9 April: Easter Egg Trails with Ricky Rabbit 12–4pmGreat fun for all the family!Only £2 for children.

UPTON HOUSE ATTRACTIONS

The Oxfordshire Befriending Network is currentlylooking for more volunteers for the next block oftraining sessions due to start this month.

The organisation aims to improve quality of lifefor people suffering from terminal or life-threateningillnesses by providing trained volunteers to offerpractical and emotional support in the home, hospitalor hospice.

Excellent free training is available over 5 sessions,where volunteers learn how to cope effectively withissues around end of life. On-going support is alsoprovided. Sue Westwood, Interim Specialist ServicesManager at Age UK Oxfordshire said: “We urgentlyneed to recruit more people to train to becomevolunteers. We currently have individuals waiting forthe valuable support that our volunteers can provide,but we need to increase the number of trained peoplethat we have available.”

All volunteer expenses are reimbursed and formore information or for an application pack to be avolunteer, please telephone 01865 791781 or emailenquiries@oxonbefriending.net

NEW ‘FRIENDS’ ARE NEEDED

There was a major input from Bodicote into the hit show Peter Panstaged last month by the newly-formed Odyssey Theatrical Productions.

Sharon Green, of the Bodicote-based Sharon Green Dance Academy,choreographed the show, which is based on the original work of J MBarrie, and a number of her students took major roles in a production thatplayed to packed audiences at Banbury School’s Wykham Theatre.

Bishop Loveday School pupil Alice Colmer gave a delightfulperformance as Tinkerbell and eleven Bodicote children were also in thecast. They included Sammy Westgate, Jo and Issy Palmer, Megan and EmilyWoodruff, James, Wendy and Rosey Delarue, Hannah Macey, Sohie Howie,and Jasmine Popoola-Adkins.

Bodicote residents Ray and Janet Phipps were in charge of front ofhouse and Gerald Woodfield was busy behind the scenes building sets andbeing part of the stage crew.

Odyssey Theatrical Productions is a non-profit making companydesigned to provide musical theatre opportunities for young people andadults and Peter Pan was their second production. It followed on from theyouth production Footloose, which was another big hit.

The next production will be Copacabana, an exciting and passionatemusical set at the heart of the swinging nightclub scene in the 1940s. It willbe staged at the Banbury School theatre in July.

Press officer Debbie Coleman said: “Odyssey Youth also run an annualyouth summer school during the holidays and this provides an opportunityfor teenagers to find out what it is like to star in a musical.

The end result is nothing short of spectacular – especially when youconsider that the whole process takes just over a week to create.”

BODICOTE PLAYS MAJOR ROLE IN LOCAL HIT SHOW

Pretty as a picture… Alice Colmer broughta touch of magic to the role of Tinkerbell

Anyone interested in archaeology might like to attenda new introductory course being held at the Mill ArtsCentre, Banbury. The tutor is Dr Mark Anderson andthe course will involve six meetings, starting on 22February from 7–9pm. For further information ring Jenny Gough on 01295690326 or ring the branch mobile on 07711855890 oremail through the web site:http://banburywea.moonfruit.com

EXPLORE THE PAST TODAY

FOOD FOR THOUGHTThe award-winning Jaypur restaurant inParsons Street, Banbury, is to stage afundraising evening for Katharine HouseHospital on Thursday 16 February, starting at 6pm.Sittings will be from 6pm to 8pm, 8pm to 9.30pm and9.30pm to midnight. Proceeds from meals, drinks andstaff wages will be donated to the hospice. You canbook now on 275117.

The generous people of Bodicote contributed to anew record over Christmas when more than £700 wascollected during the visit of the Round Table floatwith Santa on board.

This was the highest amount ever recorded in allthe years Santa has been making his annual tour of thevillage. The collectors on the night were members ofthe Lions Club of Banbury and they will share themonies collected and use them to fund charitableprojects.

The Lions also benefitted to the tune of £143 fromthe raffle for the giant chocolate Santa run by theBodicote Stores team and this money will be sharedbetween Katharine House Hospice and other Lionscharities.

The draw for the Santa was made by young SashaHolland and she picked out ticket number 94 whichhad been purchased by Horse and Jockey landlord JohnMorgan. Trudy took second prize with ticket 106 andSteve the third prize with ticket 133.

Two Bodicote men who grew moustaches duringNovember are clean shaven again after raisingbetween them over £800 for cancer causes.

Tim Rogers, of High Street, and Stuart Read, fromthe Bodicote Stores, took part in the nation-wideMovember event to raise awareness of men’s healthissues.

Through the Movember Foundation and its men’shealth partners,The Prostate Cancer Charity and TheInstitute of Cancer Research, Movember is fundingworld class awareness, research, educational andsupport programmes that would not otherwise bepossible.

HAIRY LIPS RAISE CASH FOR CAUSE

SANTA VISIT SETS

DONATION RECORD

OBITUARIES

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VILLAGE News

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Bodicote parish council is hoping that the village will turn out in force for astreet parade and beacon lighting ceremony to mark the Queen’s DiamondJubilee on the Bank Holiday Monday, 4 June.

A committee is to be formed to raise support and to make the necessaryarrangements. The parish council is seeking representatives from village organi-sations who would be prepared to serve on the organising body.

Anyone interested should contact the clerk to the parish council Val Russell,on 256884.

At its recent meeting, the parish council decided to fund the manufacture ofa new beacon.

Arrangements are well under way to ensure that a memorial to the fivepeople who died when their bomber crashed in the village during World War 11 iscompleted in time for the Jubilee weekend.

Local farmer John Colegrave is supplying a tree-trunk seat and two trees tobe placed on Arthur’s Way footpath close to the scene of the tragedy and aboulder carrying a plaque with the names and ranks of those who died will alsobe sited there.

A brother of one of the servicemen who perished has been contacted and iskeen to be involved in the project and RAF Benson is to be contacted to see if theywould wish to be involved.

BODFEST WILL MAKE WAY FOR A BIG JUBILEE PARTYA full weekend of entertainment is being planned to mark the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in June.Bodfest, the annual Bodicote festival that is normallyheld in July, is to be given a makeover and moved tothe Jubilee weekend in the first week of June. Thefestival’s organising committee has already drawn upa provisional programme.

“It was decided that it was not feasible tostage both a Jubilee celebration and afestival so close together, so the committeedecided to put all its efforts into the royalcelebrations,” said festival chairman JohnWashburn.

The provisional programme will includethe popular family quiz on the Friday evening,a village cricket match on Saturday afternoon,

followed by a barn dance and pig roast in the evening. Sunday will be a very full day, starting with a church

service, followed by a fun run for adults and children andthen a giant lunch for all and games for the children.

It is hoped to make the Sunday evening eventsomething very special. A jazz and popular music

event will include a sit-down meal. Tickets willbe priced at around £20 and when they go onsale it will be on a first come first served basis

as they will be limited.The annual Bodicote Duck races, which are

usually staged in June as a pre-Bodfestfundraiser, will now be moved to July. Theorganising committee has still to fix a date.

JUBILEE PARADE TO LIGHT BEACON

CALLING ALL ARTISTS AND MAKERSDo you like to paint, do sculpture, work with textiles or draw? As part ofthe Diamond Jubilee celebrations the Bodfest committee are planning tostage an exhibition of the work of local artists in the Village Hall.

You don’t have to be professional or experienced, just excited andinspired! The organisers are keen to receive work from anyone who lives inthe village, of any age. Your work can be in any medium from charcoal,paint or pencils to textiles or papier maché, in fact anything inspired by thetheme of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Lynette Langley, one of the organisers, said “We would be delighted toreceive artwork from anyone who would like to bring it along. From tradi -tional to abstract we would love to be able to display art and craft thatlocal people have done. We will be thrilled to receive people’s work and arereally looking forward to displaying it for the whole village to see.”

An entry form will be printed in the next edition of this magazine foryou to use to enter your work. So get your creative heads on, let yourimagination run wild and have fun!

If you would like further details of the exhibition please contactLynette on 264647.

Eric Heath, who was Bodicote’s representative onCherwell District Council for more than a decade, has diedat the age of 77.

Eric, who lived at Bloxham and also represented thatvillage on the district council, was a member of the localauthority from 1999 until his failing health brought abouthis retirement in 2010.

He served in a number of posts, including beingchairman of the Licensing Committee and the ServiceAppeals Panel. He was also a member of the PlanningCommittee, the Performance Related Pay and AppealsPanel and the Standards Committee and for two years,from 2004 to 2006, he was chairman of the council.

Born in Birmingham, Eric moved to the Banbury areawith his job and it was at that time he met and married hiswife Christine, who has succeeded him as a Bodicoterepresentative on the district council.

Bodicote Parish Council chairman Ron Glynn paidtribute to Eric and said: “He was a real gentleman and healways had the interests of the village at heart. He foughtour corner in the council chamber on many occasions andnothing was ever too much trouble for him.”

“Eric was always prepared to listen and to give ussound advice that was based on his years of experience onthe council.”

Councillor Barry Wood, the current leader of CherwellDistrict Council said: "Eric Heath was a great servant of thecommunity and a great servant to this council, having beenits chairman and a member of its Executive Committee. Iam going to miss his sage advice and counsel."

Eric’s funeral was held at St Mary’s Church, Bloxham,and donations in his memory are being made to the DialysisUnit Trust Fund at the Churchill Hospital, Oxford. BodicoteParish Council have agreed to make a donation of £50.

FAREWELL TO A MAN WHO HADVILLAGE INTERESTS AT HEART Leonora Robins, a resident of Bodicote who

lived for more than half a century in the familyhome that she and her husband had built, hasdied at the age of 94.

Leo, as she was known to family and friends,was born into a farming family in Lark Rise toCandleford country at Monks House, Mixburyand she moved locally when her parents startedto farm Upper Aynho Grounds farm.

She won the squire’s education scholarshipand went to board at the Welsh Girls’ School inKent and during the funeral service at St Johnthe Baptist Church daughter Virginia recalledthat even years later “mother could still sing theWelsh national anthem in Welsh.”

Leo married Noel Robins at Aynho in 1940and while he served overseas during the war,she became a nurse at the Horton Hospital, aswell as working on the farm.

The couple had three children, Peter,Virginia and Michael, and after the war the newRobins family moved away from the farm to livein Banbury where Noel went on to be a partnerin the family ironmongery business.

In the early 1950s, they arrived in Bodicoteafter building Felgate in Broad Gap and Leoused all her farming experience to turn whatwas then a field into a beautiful garden.

After raising her family, she spent yearscaring for elderly relatives and then her husbandwhen he fell ill.

In her later years she loved seeing herfriends and family, especially her grandchildrenwho came all the way from New Zealand to visitand to work.

BODICOTE BIDS FAREWELL TO LEO

VILLAGE News

13

VILLAGE News

12

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Advertising in The Bodicote News is anexcellent way to advertise local businessesand services. Bodicote News is producedbi-monthly. Packed full of local news andissues. 1200 copies are produced for eachedition and these are delivered free to allhomes in the Bodicote Parish, with extracopies for the village Church and Post Office.

BodicoteNewsThe

Advertising in

Eighth page advert: £55.00 per year (6 issues)

Quarter page advert: £82.00 per year (6 issues)

Half page advert £135.00 per year (6 issues)

Flyers: £40.00 per edition

Cheques payable to ‘Bodicote News’ ordirect payments can be made into theBodicote News bank account. If you would like to place an advert orwould like further information pleasecontact:

Sheila Maishman, 38 Rookery Close,Bodicote, Banbury OX15 4 BATel: 01295 264653 Mobile: 07813 910214e-mail: sheilamaishman@yahoo.co.uk

While visiting India aspart of his family’s triparound the world in acampervan, SimonCourtie was invited to bean extra on theBollywood spectacular RaOne.

He took the role of abarman, but never got tosee the scenes heappeared in… that is untilrecently when the filmwas shown in Oxford.

Simeon said: “It wasmy wife’s birthday, andbecause I really know howto show a girl a goodtime, I took Jill see this multi-million pound film – in 3D,which offered the tantalising prospect of seeing mybackground role as Barman 2 even more vividly. “

“We had the entire auditorium to ourselves, whichmade it extra special, and glossing over the fact that itwas 2 for 1 Orange Wednesday, I think you’ll agree that Ido indeed go the extra mile to make my wife’s lifecomplete. As birthday treats go, it promised to be ahuge triumph.”

It didn’t work out like that. “It is awful,” saidSimeon. “Apart from one rather glittering nightclubscene, in which the bar staff looked particularly jaunty,Ra One is a pungent pile of Stinking Bishop.”

“Fortunately, like all Indian movies, it paused for anintermission after we had suffered for an hour andtwenty minutes. We decided that during the furtherhour and twenty it still had to run we would be betterspent doing … well, anything.”

Despite this experience, Simeon intends to buy theDVD. “Well, come on, I’m in it, even if only fleetingly,”he added.

BIRTHDAY TREAT PROVES AFLOP FOR BOLLYWOOD ‘STAR’

Bodicote-based speech and language therapistVanessa Rogers has launched a new initiative offeringto work in the client's home or in their education set-ting.

Vanessa works with young people from pre-schoolage to early adulthood and specializes in learningdisability, AAC, signing, pre-verbal communication,autism spectrum conditions, speech sound disorders andlanguage disorder. She is also offering training foreducational staff.

Vanessa currently works part time for OxfordHealth NHS Foundation Trust and has experience ofworking in special schools, autism resource bases,language and communication resource bases andmainstream schools.

For an informal chat to talk through your needs callon 262504 or email nessrogers@hotmail.com

BODICOTE THERAPISTLAUNCHES NEW INITIATIVE

The Bodicote Good Neighbours Scheme is looking

for a new administrator to take over telephone

and administration duties.

If you feel you could help the scheme, please

get in touch on 07956 468 386, or telephone

Marion Davis on 01295 261595. Marion will be

happy to fill you in on the relatively small amount

of work that is needed to help the scheme.

The scheme has been going for a few years

now and whilst it is not enjoying huge business, it

is valued greatly by those who have used it.

Marion said: “We try to cover as wide a range

of duties as possible and these have ranged from

driving residents to hospital to dog walking.”

At the moment, the service covers the

Bodicote village area only, but the scheme may be

expanded if things get busier.

GOOD NEIGHBOUR SCHEME NEEDS ANEW CO-ORDINATOR

USE IT OR LOSE IT!

Anyone, any age, in need of assis-tance should contact the scheme

co-ordinators on 07956 468386

We are here to help!

14

DAVE RAMM ELECTRICAL& PARTNER

T 01295 252129 M 07958 774487

davidramm@btconnect.com

Elecsa Part P Registered

Full and Part Re-wires

Fuseboard Upgrades

Sockets/Switches/Lighting

Security/Outdoor Lighting etc

FREE ESTIMATES AND COMPETITIVE PRICING

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N.J.H Carpentry

& Joinery

LOWER CLOSE BODICOTE

Quality Interior refurbishments

Kitchen/Bathrooms/windows/Doors

Fitted Wardrobes & cabinet making

All interior building work undertakenFully insured. Work references available

Tel . 07855119576E-mail Neil@Haynes6648.freeserve.co.uk

Provided by a professional and dedicated lady.References readily available.

All aspects of household cleaning in and around the Banbury area.

Reliable and Friendly ServiceContact Vanessa onTel: 01295 257789 Mob: 07553 286049

DANCE FOR FUN!MODERN SQUARE DANCING

Make new friends and enjoy gentle exerciseAll ages welcome

Bodicote Church House, Thursdays 8pm–10pm

Only £2!Contact Peter and Sheila 01295 262 940

or Colin and Tina 01295 251493

1716

spratt endicottSOLICITORS

52 - 54 The GreenBanbury

Oxon OX16 9AB

Our Family Law experts - Ann Barker and Patrick Mulcare - provide practical and cost-effective advicewhatever your concerns regarding:-

� divorce and its financial implications� cohabitation agreements � pre-marital agreements � separation� children issues (including residence and contact matters)

We offer an initial fixed fee appointment to enable you to meet us and discuss your immediate concerns.

family law solutions

Tel: 01295 204000

Email: familylaw@se-law.co.uk

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J.GIBBARDQualified Tradesman with

over 35yrs experience

CARPENTRY JOINERYDoors, Windows, Cupboards andWardrobes Built. Kitchens Fitted.

01295 256660 or 07768 247593

SKIM-RITEPlastering Contractor

Plastering • Dry Lining • RenderingArtexing • Coving • Archways

1st Class Service

4 The Pound, Bloxham, Banbury, Oxon. OX15 4PG

Tel: 01295 721765 or 07759 880 208

David Southall

Bodicote Hair StudiosYour local hairdresser

01295 263964Offering a reliable and friendly service:

Perms, woven highlights, cuts, wet cuts, gents cuts

We cater for all needs.

Ask for Janice

Bodicote FlyoverFarm Shop

Whitepost Road, Bodicote

• Horse, Dog, Cat, Poultry and Rabbit Feed, Hay

and straw bedding, etc• Farm fresh fruit & vegetables

Open: Monday–Saturday 8.30–5.30Sunday 9–1pm

Tel: 01295 270789

Specialising in Reiki, Reflexology, Indian Head Massage and

Beauty Treatments

For an appointment please call Becky on01295 268690 or 07879 426624

email rebeccanichol@ymail.comor visit www.rebeccanichol.com˜ Gift Vouchers also available ˜

Rebecca Nichol VTCT, MAR, Reiki Master/TeacherBlackwood Place, Bodicote

HOLISTIC AND BEAUTY THERAPIST

Piano & Music Theory TuitionWould you like to learn to play the piano?Is your knowledge of music theory poor?

Then ring

TONY BOWDEN at BETHANY MUSIC

Tel: 01295 277989Grades 1 to 8

BEGINNERS, IMPROVERS ANDRETURNERS – ALL WELCOME

1918

Bodicote Stores & Post Office

Tel: 01295 263338Your local friendly village store for all

your grocery and Post Office needs:

SHOP OPENING TIMESEveryday!

7.00am–8.00pmA warm welcome awaits you from:

Sally, Stuart, Paul, Bethany, Charlie and Jon

Groceries Fresh vegetables

Frozen food Freshly baked goods

Newspapers Wines & Spirits

Seasonal goods Stationery

Banbury Hearing Centre

Call today to make an appointment:

01295 2683333 White Lion Walk

BanburyOX16 5UD

GRASS ROOTSG A R D E N I N G

Daniel Campbell‘Dip Art and Design’, ‘RHS qualified’

28 Blackwood Place, Bodicote, Banbury OX15 4BE

Landscaping and Design, turf-ing, mowing, hedge trim-

ming, clearance,general main-tenance etc…

Competitive rates (discounts offered to regular customers)

Call 07786 176573for a free quote

SPORTS, WHIPLASH, NECK & BACK INJURY?

ADDERBURY PHYSIOTHERAPY

GILL RANDALL MCSP, GRAD.DIP.PHYS.CHARTERED PHYSIOTHERAPIST

AND REG WITH HPC

FOR ADVICE OR AN APPOINTMENT

TEL: 01295 812552

Complete bathroom solutionsUnvented pressurised hot water

Solar hot waterFull central heating systemsBoiler servicing/replacement

Gas cookers/Gas firesLandlord safety certificates

White Cross Plumbing &Heating Services

For all your domestic plumbing and heating requirements

Call Jason on:07877 721460 or 01295 266123

Our monthly surgery is held at Church House on the firstSaturday of each month: 10:45 am to 11:45 am

Happy to help with any public service problem

MONTHLY SURGERY

County Councillor: Keith R Mitchell CBE

Nell Bridge House, Adderbury, Oxon, OX17 3NU

Phone: (01295) 811257. Fax: (01295) 812997

E-mail: leader@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Web Site: www.krmcbe.co.uk

District Councillor: Lynda Thirzie Smart

Nell Bridge House, Adderbury, Oxon OX17 3NU

Phone: (01295) 812584. Fax: (01295) 812997

E-mail: lynda.thirzie@btinternet.com email: grassrootsgardeningco@btinternet.com

COUNCIL CornerCOUNCIL Corner

20 21

Bodicote Parish Council is determined to enforce rulesthat prevent unauthorized items being placed ongraves in the burial ground at Wykham lane.

Letters have been sent to grave owners whereitems have been discovered asking for them to beremoved. They have been given six weeks to removethe items and if they do not comply, the council willtake action and clear them.

The council is also looking into the possibility ofremoving some very old flat stones and kerbstones.

Residents who live in or have to travel along LowerClose and Blackwood Place and cope with the manypotholes that were created by the terrible weather inthe 2010/2011 winter have some good news at last.

More than 12 months later, Oxfordshire CountyCouncil has included repair work in its programme ofworks. Bodicote Parish Council has been told the workis due to start on 28 February.

At the January meeting of the village council, thecounty authority was congratulated on the excellentwork recently carried out to resurface the road surfacein White Post Road and High Street.

A public inquiry is to be held later this month intothe proposed scheme to build new homes on land atCotefield Farm.

The Secretary of State for Communities and LocalGovernment has appointed an inspector to conductthe inquiry, which will be held in the council chamberat the Bodicote offices of Cherwell District Council.

Proceedings are scheduled to start on Tuesday, 28February, at 10.00am and are expected to last twodays.

The inquiry has been called following an appealby Banner Homes Ltd against Cherwell DistrictCouncil’s decision to turn down planning permissionfor a development that would see 82 homes built onfarm land south of Blackwood Place and MolyneuxDrive.

Representatives of Bodicote Parish Council, whichopposed the development, will attend the inquiry andanyone interested may also attend and, at theinspector’s discretion, state their case in person orthrough an accredited representative.

Documents relevant to the appeal are availablefor inspection at Cherwell District Council officesduring normal working hours or via the council’s website at www.cherwell-dc.gov.uk

The Proofs of Evidence and the Statement ofCommon Ground are expected to be available forinspection after 15 February. A leaflet entitled “Guideto taking Part in Planning Appeals” is available free ofcharge by contacting the council or online at:www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk

The appeal decision will be published at a laterdate on the planning web site

www.planningportal.gov.uk/pcs

Bodicote Parish Council has scored a partial success success in its cam-paign to improve safety at the junction of White Post Road and WykhamLane.

Double yellow lines had earlier been ruled out by the highwaysauthority, but following a site meeting between parish council represen-tatives and an officer of Oxfordshire County Council’s highwaysdepartment, pictured above, it has been agreed to extend the existingwhite lines at the junction.

They will now be extended to a distance of 28 metres on the north sideof Wykham Lane and 18 metres on the south side. Oxfordshire CountyCouncil will fund the work.

Parish clerk Val Russel said: “Although this was not our preferredoption, these new lines should deter people from parking close to what is adangerous junction and so improve its safety.”

Traffic moving in and out of the burial ground in Wykham Lane hasalso been causing concern and the issue has been raised with the highwaysdepartment. Consideration is being given to the siting of signs identifyingthe position of the cemetery entrance.

Bodicote is going for the self help option when itcomes to dealing with ice and snow problems on cru-cial village paths.

The parish council has now taken delivery of a saltspreader and a supply of salt and been given the allclear by Oxfordshire County Council, the authorityresponsible for dealing with the treatment of roads inadverse weather conditions, to carry out work inselected areas.

This will be a discretionary activity to help thepublic and would place no statutory responsibility orliability on the village authority.

The trigger for spreading the salt will be two ormore days of snow and ice and the manual spreaderwill be operated by parish councillor Jim Blencowe.

Members of the council’s environment committeeare considering a number of priority areas to betreated.

DO-IT-YOURSELF SALT SPREADING

ENFORCING THE RULES

GOOD NEWS ON ROADS

COUNCILLORS SAY ‘NO’ TO PAYMENTSMembers of the Bodicote Parish Council are going tocontinue to give their services to the village free ofcharge.

The 10 councillors, who could choose to introducepay allowances should they wish to, have recentlyconsidered the report and recommendations of theDistrict Council's Parish Remuneration Panel butdecided, as in previous years, not to be paid. Memberswill be able to receive travel and subsistenceallowances, if appropriate, but subsistence has notbeen claimed for many years, if ever. Travel allowancescan only be claimed for journeys outside the parish, sosuch claims are rare.

INQUIRY SET UP TO RULEON PLAN FOR 82 HOMES

Bodicote Parish Council hasthanked Mr and Mrs Brian Hall foronce again hosting the Christmaslights that warmly welcomed peo-ple to the village over the festiveperiod. Contractors are pictured,above, fitting the hundreds oflights that lit up the village’sbiggest Christmas tree.

LINES TO IMPROVE JUNCTION SAFETYLINES TO IMPROVE JUNCTION SAFETY BODICOTE TO STAYRURAL UNDER NEWBOUNDARIES PLANIt looks as if the village has finallywon the fight to avoid beinglinked with Banbury under thenew-look representative structurefor Oxfordshire County Council.

In the final recommendationsput forward in the electoral reviewby the Local Government BoundaryCommission for England, Bodicotewill remain linked to a ruralgrouping as the number ofdivisions at count level is reducedto 61 represented by a total of 63councillors.

Although currently linked withBloxham and Milton, Bodicote willjoin the new-look Deddingtondivision, which includes nine othervillages, when the new structure isfinally introduced.

In the early stages of theconsultative process, it wasdebatable whether it would beBodicote or Bloxham who wouldhave to be linked to one of theBanbury divisions. Bodicoteobjected in the strongest possibleterms to defend its rural identityand Bloxham lost out when theintial recommendations wereannounced.

Belatedly, Bloxham objected tobeing bundled in with Banbury, buttheir protests appear to have fallenon deaf ears as the finalrecommendation in the review isfor a combined Bloxham andEasington division.

The threat that the parish council would in the futurehave to pay for the signs needed when roads areclosed for the annual Remembrance Day paradethrough the village has been averted.

Cherwell District Council, who supply the signsrequired to meet the regulations relating to roadclosures, had warned the village authority that the factthat they received use of the signs without charge for anumber of years was inconsistent with what washappening elsewhere in the district where charges werelevied.

Councillor Lynda Thirzie Smart, one of Bodicote’srepresentatives on the district council, took the matterup and three options resulted. The parish council couldbuy its own signs, which would have to be of theappropriate standard; they could pay the costs of thedistrict council to supply and install the signs; or theycould collect and return the signs from the districtdepot free of charge.

The council will take the third option and collectthe signs for use when the parade is held in November.

COUNCIL TAKES THE NO CHARGEOPTIONS FOR CLOSURE SIGNS

VILLAGE’SBIGGEST CHRISTMAS TREE!

Thrifty Bodicote Parish Council hasmanaged to keep the increase in itsbudget and the precept that ratepayers will be charged at wellbelow the rate of inflation.The total expenditure of the villageauthority for 2012–2013 is forecastto be just over £35,000 and thiswill mean that the village share ofthe rates paid for a property in

Band D will rise by just 10pence; £28 compared with£27.90 last year.Copies of the full budgetdetails are posted on thevillage notice boards.

MINIMUM RAISE!

Tourism in Cherwell increased lastyear against a national backdropof huge slumps in visitor numbersand spend.

While the national pictureshowed a six per cent decrease inthe number of domestic trips andspend, North Oxfordshire’s shareincreased by 1.7 per centcompared with 2009.

Figures for 2010 from theOffice for National Statisticsrevealed that around 391,000visitors to the area spent almost£295.7 million between them. Andwhen indirect spend by localbusinesses and workers is added,the spend attributable to tourismreached £337.7 million.

All of this activity supportedthe equivalent of 4,397 fulltime jobs and whenseasonal work isincluded this rose to6,166, or eight per centof the workforce.

TOURISM IN CHERWELL BUCKSNATIONAL TREND

SPORT News

22

John Washburn Chief Editor Tel: 251754 johnwashburn@tinyworld.co.ukLynette Langley Distribution Tel: 264647Sheila Maishman Treasurer/Advertising sheilamaishman@yahoo.co.ukThe Rev Ben Phillips As himself! Tel: 270174Jane Slade Design & Layout Tel: 251190 jane@janeslade.demon.co.ukKMS Litho Printers enquiries@kmslitho.co.uk

THE TEAM:

Next copydeadlineMonday27th Feb

THE BODICOTE YOUTH TEAM, above, started the new year still seeking their first win

in the A section of the Witney and District Under 13 League. Although they are find-

ing it’s tough at the top, they have put in some very good displays and earned two

draws from their first seven league encounters.

Bodicote Sports have once again reached the lasteight of the John Fathers Junior Shield, the county’stop competition for junior clubs.

Last year they went as far as the semi-finals in thisprestigious event and just missed a final spot whenlosing in a penalty shootout.

They have a tough challenge ahead of them ifthey are to reach the last four again because theyhave been drawn against reigning champions ThameTown.

The team will be hoping that as they go into thetie they can maintain the form that has taken them tothe top spot in the Premier Division of the BanburyDistrict and Jersey League.

They have lost just one of their first nine leaguegames and they started the New Year with a threepoint lead and three games in hand over second-placeHeyford Athletic.

The second team is currently lying in ninth placein Division Two, but they have four wins to their creditand are eight points clear of the relegation spot. In

their first outing of the new year they put in anencouraging performance when just being beaten 3–2by table-topping Highfield Old Boyd.

SPORTS TOP LEAGUE AND ARE CHASING COUNTY HONOURS

PREMIER DIVISIONP W D L GD PTS

BODICOTE SPORTS 10 9 0 1 26 27

HEYFORD ATHLETIC 14 7 3 4 5 24

WOODFORD UNITED 10 7 0 3 16 21

CROPREDY 13 6 2 5 -7 20

HIGHFIELD OLD BOYS 13 5 3 5 -3 18

SPORTING HETHE 13 5 1 7 2 16

SINCLAIR UNITED 9 5 1 3 0 16

DEDDINGTON TOWN 12 4 3 5 0 15

STEEPLE ASTON 12 4 1 7 -7 13

BARDWELL 11 2 3 6 -14 9

KEA 11 1 1 9 -18 4

BANBURY DISTRICT & JERSEY LEAGUE