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The Haseleys

The monthly magazine off!Thee montthlyy mmaggggggggggggggaazineee oofGreat Haseley Parishsh!

Issue 480, July 2020 Issue 480, July 2020

www.thehaseleys.co.uk

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What

The Garden shop is now open again for business, the Ornamental Gardens are open to visit and take away food is available from the Tea Shop! If you are fit and well and not in a high risk group, you would be very welcome to visit. For further details on the social distancing measures that have been put in place to help look after your own safety and that of our staff please visit www.waterperrygardens.co.uk Thank you for helping us all stay safe. Keep an eye on our website for further updates. We hope to see you again very soon!

Waterperry Gardens, Nr Wheatley, Oxford, OX33 1LA

www.waterperrygardens.co.uk

What

�s Happening �

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Contents

Foreword! "!

Events This Month! "!

Opening of the Church! "!

Great Haseley History Group! "!

Notes from the Parish Council Meeting! #!

Great Haseley and District Horticultural Society! $!

Gardening Tips for July! %&!

The Natural History of Haseley: Summer Serpents! %%!

The Haseley Bookshelf: Where the Crawdads Sing! %'!

The Rector’s Pint! %(!

Recipe of the Month: Asparagus and Pancetta risotto! %"!

John Howell writes ….! %)!

Little Milton WI! %#!

Local Walk – Witheridge Hill! %*!

Advertising in The Haseleys! ('!

Useful Information! ((!

Many thanks to David Bint for the cover photograph.

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Foreword This month we have:

•!Another wonderful article from Richard Sheehan on the Natural History of Haseley – this one on the grass snake. Richard has been providing these interesting features for a whole year now.

•!In our centre pages, a beautiful walk in the Chilterns at Witheridge Hill. •!A recipe for Asparagus and Pancetta Risotto from Jane Simcox. •!A review of Delia Owens’ book “When the Crawdads Sing” by Gill. •!And much more ….

Stay safe.

Colin, Gill & Daisy

Events This Month •!All events have been cancelled or postponed until further notice. •!The next Parish Council meeting will be held remotely on Zoom on Monday

11th July at 8pm. •!Rubbish Collections: Green weeks: July 1, 15, 29, August 11, 25, Grey weeks:

July 8, 22, August 4, 18.

Opening of the Church I am pleased to say that we will be opening the Church once a week on Sundays. We do not have the resources to clean at the end of every day after it has been opened, however as after 72 hours there will be no risk of picking up any nasty virus it was felt best to restrict access to once a week. For the time being the Church will be open on Sunday from 9am to 5pm. The exception will be if we have to adapt around any funeral that might take place.

If you visit, we have provided hand sanitiser (which we hope will be left in the Church!). Please be mindful of others and keep a sensible distance while you enjoy the peace and space and hopefully the comfort that being in the Church will bring. Although this is a small step, we believe that it is important that we do this especially for any in the Village who might like to seek out the Church as a place of peace, sanctuary and prayer.

Simon Cronk, Rector, on behalf of the PCC.

Great Haseley History Group This is to let anyone know who is interested in recording the inscriptions on the gravestones that we are up and running again. Come along on a Wednesday morning (provided it is not pouring with rain!) at 10.30 and see what we are doing. We are starting on a new area and all volunteers welcome. However if you just want to know what we are doing, someone will be around to give you a guided tour.

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We are very pleased to say that, hopefully, it won’t be long before we’re going again, and you can get back to enjoying your village pub and restaurant. At the time of

writing this, we are not sure when this is going to happen and how it is actually going to work, but please be

assured that we will do our utmost to ensure that you will be enjoying our hospitality in an extremely safe

environment.

The Plough, Great Haseley, Oxfordshire OX44 7JQCall 01844 279 283, Email alixrestaurant@gmail.com

Web Site latabledalix.co.uk

La Table d'Alix@ The

We are very pleased tolo bef ’r

Plough

Whilst the lockdown has been underway, we have been really busy, taking the opportunity to do lots of work to

the pub and restaurant that we wouldn’t normally be able to do during normal service. This has included the

installation of a ground source heat pump so we can use renewable energy to heat the building and hot water –

we’ve gone all eco!!!

We’re also extremely pleased to say that our takeaway service has been exceedingly popular. If you haven’t tried it yet, you need to give it a go! Full menu on the web site.

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Notes from the Parish Council Meeting The meeting of the Parish Council was held on Monday 8th June on Zoom. All Councillors were present, together with 10 members of the public. As usual, the minutes of the meeting will be available on the Parish Council website (www.greathaseleypc.co.uk).

During the Public Discussion, a member of the public asked which CIL projects were under consideration.

Cllr Gheissari reported that she had met with residents of Back Way. Since the meeting she has also met with The District Footpath Officer together with residents of Back Way. The Officer suggested some suitable companies who can quote for work to be done; she has also been asked to allocate some SODC funding towards the project.

Planning Applications:

P19/S2503/O - Haseley End, Rectory Road, Great Haseley; Amendment No. 6 dated 21 May 2020. Amended plans show Chestnut Tree T11 plotted, removal of existing trees to the north of the site and replaced with alternative species and rotation of building slightly anticlockwise to allow greater scope for landscaping to be submitted via Reserved Matters application. Resolved to continue to Object to this application.

Planning Decisions:

SODC had refused planning permission for the following application:

P19/S2685/FUL - Lobb Farm, Access Road to Lobb Farm, Tetsworth Gas Fired Electricity Generating Facility with the ability to generate up to 49.99 MW of electricity

It was further noted that South Oxfordshire District Council had granted planning permission for the following applications:

P20/S1119/HH - Walnut Cottage, 22 Little Haseley Single storey rear extension.

P20/S1097/HH - Old School House, Back Way, Great Haseley Rear and side single storey link extension.

The link to the Parish Council’s response to the Local Plan 2034 public consultation had been circulated together with information received on the Examination in Public (EIP) due to commence on 14 July 2020. At the last consultation the Parish Council expressed a wish to speak at the EIP. The Inspector has reviewed all the written submissions and it is clear he does not want to hear repetition of submitted comments, only new information. Since the meeting took place, Cllr Sheppard has registered to speak on behalf of the Parish Council at the EIP, to keep the Parish Council’s options open, on the basis that Cllr Sheppard will withdraw if that is felt to be the right thing to do. In any

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event Cllr Sheppard will submit a written document before the deadline of 26 June 2020.

A cheque was written to Ridgeway Rural Services for £948.00 for grass cutting.

The consultation process for the investment of the CIL funds was discussed. At the Parish Council meeting in March the format of the Village Consultation on CIL was discussed and agreed. Due to COVID-19 restrictions the consultation had been deferred. After discussion it was agreed it was important to move forward and that residents will be consulted via a maildrop to every household and a central post box provided for replies. Further information and visuals on some proposed projects will be displayed on the noticeboard outside the Village Hall. Forms are to be put in the postbox outside the village hall by 2nd July 2020.

SODC has informed Parish Councils at very short notice that the weekly cost of emptying dog waste bins will increase for Great Haseley from 77p to £3 per bin from 1 April 2020 and to £6 per bin from 1 April 2021. This represents a significant annual increase in expenditure, and it is disgraceful that parishes had not been notified of the increase last December to enable them to give it due consideration when setting their expenditure budgets for 2020-21. Some discussion took place on possible scenarios by which the cost may be reduced. Further investigation will take place and the Clerk will report back at a future meeting. In the meantime, Cllr Gheissari will continue to liaise with SODC on the location of the new dog waste bins, without committing to purchase more at this stage.

In light of the increased charges Cllr Sheppard had spoken to District Councillor Newton about the possibility of diverting the grant money the Parish Council had received to purchase two new dog bins to other projects, should it wish to. District Councillor Newton confirmed the grant money could be spent on other capital projects (not revenue) that she and the SODC grant team are willing to support.

The Parish Council had received a proposal from residents to reinstate the condition of Back Way as a track, as it is in poor condition with potholes. This had been circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting. The proposal had been circulated to Back Way residents and landowners, to ask for their agreement, and, at the time of the meeting, a good proportion of positive responses had been received. Councillors had no objections to the proposal for the track which would improve access for wheelchairs/pushchairs etc. to the Millennium Wood, Allotments and Miss Cross Field. There would be a proposal on contributing to the improvement of Backway included in the consultation.

Cllr Newton reported that the constraints of COVID-19 meant for the time being changes to the system for the Planning Committee. There will be no public speaking, only written submissions will be considered during virtual meetings. In the past if a parish objected to a planning application and the district officer was

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minded to approve it, the application would go to Committee, for now this will only happen if the application is ‘Called In’ by a Ward Councillor.

County Cllr Harrod reported Oxfordshire County Council have applied to Government for £600k, the first tranche of funding related to Active Travel intended to encourage people out of cars and to cycle or walk. OCC will know if they have been successful in four weeks and if successful must report back results in eight weeks from receipt of funding. There has been lots of interest from Parishes and Steve will report back in due course.

Cllr Gheissari reported it had been a busy month managing the footpaths. She thanked Cllr Spencer and the volunteers for repairing both footpath bridges beyond Latchford House. The complaint regarding the tree across the footpath between Grove field and Little Haseley had been resolved. Oxfordshire County Council had trimmed all the vegetation on the footpath between the bus stop and Horse Close. Following a complaint about the irrigation pipes the farmer had cable tied the pipes to prevent them from being a trip hazard.

Cllr Woodrow reported he had been in contact with Community First Oxfordshire regarding grants available to the Village Hall to offset losses as a result of COVID-19.

The SODC Deep Cleansing team has requested a list of areas of the village to be cleaned during their visit next month – they focus on removing weeds and vegetation, but not from the highway. If you have a specific public area of the village that you would like to on the list, please email clerk@thehaseleys.co.uk.

Cllr Woodrow had been asked why the grass in Millennium Wood had been cut whilst spring flowers were in bloom? Cllr Spencer reported it was necessary to keep the grass under control: If left for too long it fell over and was difficult to cut.

The next meeting with be Monday 22nd June at 8pm to discuss planning applications received since publication of the last agenda. The following meeting will be held on Monday 11th July at 7.30pm. Meetings will continue to be conducted virtually until further notice. The agenda will be published on the Parish Council’s website; members of the public are welcome to attend – you will need to download the Zoom App and email the Clerk (clerk@thehaseleys.co.uk) for the password.

Your Parish Council:

•!Chairman: Amanda Sheppard: 279440, chairman@thehaseleys.co.uk •!Vice Chairman and Planning: David Lyndsay, 07590 270642,

davidl@thehaseleys.co.uk •!Millennium, Playing Fields, Miss Cross Field - Elisabeth Spencer: 07701

027890, elisabeths@thehaseleys.co.uk •!Allotments, Millennium Wood, Miss Cross Field, Playing Fields - Caroline

Pickett: 07825 334104 carolinep@thehaseleys.co.uk

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•!Footpaths and Environment - Alice Gheissari: aliceg@thehaseleys.co.uk •!Communications - Caroline McGuirk: 279230, 07791 867281

carolinem@thehaseleys.co.uk •!Village Hall –Paul Woodrow: 07778 311045, paulw@thehaseleys.co.uk •!Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer: Andrea Oughton, 875635, 07715

361137, clerk@thehaseleys.co.uk, 30 Rectory Meadow, Chinnor, OX39 4PJ •!District Councillor - Caroline Newton: 07951 477144,

caroline.newton@southoxon.gov.uk •!County Councillor Stephen Harrod: 278068, councillor@wildhorn.co.uk

Great Haseley and District Horticultural Society What an amazing spring and early summer we have had for the lockdown time. Seemingly endless sun and heat has meant that life did not seem as dull as it might have been. Many plants have flowered and gone over ahead of their time such as Irises, but some have come along at exactly the usual time. Geranium magnificum is a large flowered purple hardy plant which always flowers in early June. It only flowers once and, as the flowers fade, it is important to cut it down to the ground and, within a few weeks, it will have lovely fresh foliage to see it through to the winter.

The lovely weather produced drought very early and watering became onerous in April and May. The water ran out on the veg patch and daily water transport from the garden became necessary. his prompted my other half to invest in a large water tank which is now connected to the guttering on the man greenhouse on the veg patch. The idea was for this to fill over next winter with the winter rain. Suffice to say that recent heavy rain means that it is now half full which means it will be many weeks before we run out again. I’m loving the rain as it gives me a break from watering and it is so much more effective than a watering can; the garden looks refreshed and happy. However, this also means the weeds will be romping away. Vigilance is required.

The frost damage last month has been long lasting – our neighbours’ beautiful beech hedge has still not fully recovered. Another victim seems to be our beautiful apricot which is trained on a west facing gable and sheltered by the greenhouse. I had assumed the sad, dead leaves were a result of the drought, but a friend suggested the frost and I’m beginning to think she is right. The root stock is sending up shots, but no top growth yet. The stems are green under the bark, so we live in hope.

On the Saturday of the first weekend in June, the Great Milton Church Fete plant team held a socially distanced plant sale in our drive which we did not advertise outside the village (for fear of having too many people to deal with). As it turned out the weather was horrible with cold and very strong winds and winter clothing was the order of the day and, amazingly, many people came and we almost sold out. I hope people had a good morning and thank you to everyone who grew

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plants or helped and to those who came to buy. I was relieved to have much less watering to do, but pretty soon lots of rain came and the Sunday of that weekend contained all four seasons so we could have chosen a worse day!

As a result of being busy with the sale, I failed to pick the gooseberries which I had noted were ready on the Friday. By Sunday every single one was gone – many kilos – one bush was completely stripped with no damage whatsoever to leaves or branches. I was very sad as we had simply had no fruit at all last year. We have had gooseberries for over 25 years and normally they are unscathed until July when they ripen and the blackbirds eat their fill; clearly, they will have to be protected. We have reached the conclusion that this is the pigeons in action. There are now so many that we don’t seem to be able to go outside without disturbing them. It’s beginning to feel like a Hitchcock movie. If anyone has any suggestions, I will be grateful to hear them.

The heat we are expecting this week, on top of all the rain, will make the weeds grow so keep on top of them.

Liz Moyses

Gardening Tips for July •!Mulching borders can help retain moisture and keep down the weeds - this

will save a lot of work. A really thick layer of mulch (5-7.5cm/2-3in all over) works best.

•!Give the lawn a quick-acting summer feed, especially if not given a spring feed.

•!Liquid feed containerised plants and keep well-watered in dry spells. Water tubs and new plants if dry, but be water-wise.

•!Ensure newly planted trees and shrubs do not dry out. They often need much more water than people imagine.

•!Cut back delphiniums and geraniums after the first flush of flowers to encourage a second flowering period. Feed after cutting them back.

•!Deadhead flower borders regularly to prolong flowering. Disbud and dead-head dahlias if growing for large blooms. Leave roses that produce attractive hips.

•!Remove rose suckers and tree suckers. •!Start collecting seed from plants you want to grow next year, especially

annuals such as Calendula, poppy and love-in-a-mist. •!Autumn-flowering bulbs, such as autumn crocuses, Colchicul, Sternbergia,

Amaryllis and Nerine, can be planted now. •!Pick courgettes before they become marrows.

Courtesy of the Royal Horticultural Society

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The Natural History of Haseley: Summer Serpents The abundance and variety of wildlife around the Haseleys never ceases to amaze me. The other day, while working on the allotments, I found evidence of an animal I've not seen for years - the freshly shed skin of a snake. Within recorded history there have only been three British species of snake, all of which are still present (to a greater or lesser extent). Since the smooth snake is now one of the rarest animals in the UK and the adder, being intolerant of disturbance, is unlikely to be found in gardens or close to human habitation, odds on it was shed by a grass snake.

The grass snake (Natrix natrix) is the commonest snake in Britain and also the largest; any snake found wild in Britain over 60/70c m long will be a grass snake - the largest on record measured over 1.8 meters long! They are particularly handsome creatures, normally a beautiful olive-green, with black streaks or spots along the flanks, and sporting a characteristic yellow 'collar' just behind the head. Despite a slightly threatening appearance they are completely harmless to humans and when disturbed or threatened they will normally, very convincingly, play dead. However, if this ploy is unsuccessful, they will sometimes rear up in mock attack and will excrete a foul-smelling substance from their anal glands. Since they don't harm humans it seems only fair to ensure that humans don't harm grass snakes, hence they enjoy full legal protection against being sold, injured or killed by Schedule 5 of The Wildlife & Countryside Act, 1981.

Grass snakes can be found in a variety of habitats, from field borders and hedgerows to ponds, ditches and rivers. They pass the winter months (October - March) hibernating under logs, leaf litter or in holes in the ground, emerging around April to feed and breed. When it comes to feeding, grass snakes hunt for a variety of prey, both on land and, since they are excellent swimmers with the ability to stay submerged for over half an hour, in the water. Prey includes nesting birds, frogs, newts, toads and fish, all of which, once caught, are then swallowed alive. As for breeding, they are Britain’s only egg-la ying snake - the female lays 10 to 40 eggs in decaying vegetation, such as compost heaps, which incubate the eggs that then hatch in late summer/autumn.

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Finally, to return to the snakeskin I found on the allotments. All snakes, as they grow, will shed their old skins, which peel away to form a thin, papery, translucent cast of the animal's body. It was once believed that these skins were endowed with special powers; they were thought to be a headache cure and, if worn inside a hat, could cure a hangover; they were thought to have to ability to repel thorns from the body; and, in some districts, a snakeskin hung around the chimney of a house was thought to bring good luck.

It seems then that, purely by chance, I've not only rediscovered another fascinating creature inhabiting the Haseleys but have also gained a combined lucky charm and hangover cure. Just goes to show, even when carrying out most routine of tasks outside, keep your eyes peeled - you never know what might see or find.

Richard Sheehan

The Haseley Bookshelf: Where the Crawdads Sing By Delia Owens

Delia Owens is a wildlife scientist who has worked in Africa and written non-fiction. This is her debut novel set in the coastal marshes of North Carolina in the 1950s and 60s.

Having had more free time recently, I enjoyed taking the time to immerse myself in the richly descriptive and atmospheric narrative.

The central character is Kya, known as the Marsh Girl, who is left to raise herself when her family abandons her at a young age. The book follows her life through childhood and adolescence, and also includes a possible murder. The novel moves backwards and forwards in time and ends with an interesting twist.

Provided by Gill Seymour-Taylor

! Haseley Updates Keep in Touch with What’s Going On

176 people have subscribed to the email information service that

gives people in our community frequent updates on what’s going on.

Don’t miss out!

To join the group receiving these updates, simply email

haseleyupdates@gmail.com stating “Count Me In”.

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The Rector’s Pint I have been asked by one of the Village Newsletters to confine my ramblings to around 500 words. As these go to all three villages and I don’t normally produce three distinct pieces this will confine my scope. This will be good news to you if you read and probably good discipline for me as I write!

I have also decided to ‘rebrand’. This will now be called the Rectors Pint! - as a pint is near enough a half litre (500 mls). If I were to create a brew of my own, it would be called ‘Old Cronky’, perhaps I should rename as that?

Occasionally, one comes across very cheerful people who have been positively enjoying this experience we have been going through. They are rare but they are out there, although even they are now beginning to be less evident.

Back here on planet earth, for the rest of us this is an ordeal and for some it has been very hard. Am I allowed to make a confession? as the Vicar (sorry Rector) there are days that I have found tough. I wrestle with guilt of course (that is in my nature I am afraid) Who am to find this difficult compared to so many? I live in a fabulous place; I have really appreciated the abundance of nature that exploded in the Spring. My normal morning walk with Dylan is alive with the call of skylarks and the wildflower borders on the edge of one of the fields have been magnificent. Thank you so much Peers farm for this, a gift to nature of course but also a gift to the human soul.

And yet, there have been some days that have been a bit tough. I would hesitate to use the word depression, I lived alongside that for many years as I grew up and so I know what it looks like. However, there are days when it has been just so hard to even face the minimum of tasks when everything has seemed so tortuously difficult.

This then of course adds to the guilt that is already there, the ‘who am I, fortunate as I am?’ thoughts. Doubly so, because of my particular role there is an irrational sense that I should somehow be able to transcend such things.

The thing is, I need to remember that it is alright to have days like this, indeed I suspect that for many of us it is unnatural not to!

And so once again, the Psalms to the rescue. I am increasingly grateful for this repository of human spiritual honesty. How about this from one of them -

Psalm 88: ‘O Lord, God of my salvation, when at night, I cry out in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of troubles…..’

A tad dramatic perhaps but the point is it is alright to be honest with ourselves, find one or two trusted people and be honest with them, and even, now here is a radical thought, how about being honest with God?

Here’s a prayer:

Father, I am choosing to rest in You and to allow Your peace to calm me in my current circumstances and to strengthen me with the courage to face these challenges with Your Spirit by my side. Amen.

Simon

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Recipe of the Month: Asparagus and Pancetta risotto This is a very good basic risotto recipe and when asparagus is not in season, mushrooms and peas can be used instead.

Serves 4, time to cook 40 minutes.

Ingredients:

•!450g (1lb) asparagus spears

•!30ml (2tbsp) olive oil •!2 x 70g packets

pancetta (or bacon) roughly chopped

•!25g (1oz) butter •!1 large onion, finely

chopped •!350g (12oz) risotto rice •!1 litre (1¾pt) hot

vegetable stock •!300ml (½pt) dry white

wine •!50g (2oz) Parmesan

cheese (finely grated) •!45ml (3tbasp) fresh roughly chopped parsley

Method:

•!Trim the asparagus spears and cut of the tips. Cook the tips in a pan of boiling salted water for about 3-4 minutes until just tender. Drain and rinse under cold water, then set aside. Finely chop the rest of the asparagus spears. Heat 15ml (1tbsp) of the olive oil in a large, deep frying pan and fry the pancetta until just crisp. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside.

•!Add the remaining oil and the butter to the frying pan and fry the onion under tender and lightly browned. Stir the risotto rice in and cook for 1 min. Mix together the vegetable stock and wine. Pour 300ml (½pt) of the stock mixture into the pan and simmer gently, stirring until all the liquid has been absorbed.

•!Add the chopped asparagus and continue adding the stock mixture, about a ladleful at a time, until nearly all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and the chopped parsley and cook for 1 minute, then gently stir in the asparagus tips and fried pancetta.

Provided by Jane Simcox.

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John Howell writes ….

In the last couple of weeks I have been back in Westminster as MPs have returned to Parliament. With COVID-19 measures in place and a strong emphasis on social distancing, it is a very different working environment but, with initial teething problems resolved, it is right that MPs return to continue the work of scrutinising the Government. Remote systems worked to a point but there were severe limitations. There is, of course, provision for those MPs unable to return to continue to work remotely. Others seeking to return to work will also have to get used to different ways of working as will those supporting the businesses that can re-open. Most will rise to the challenge as indeed they have when we entered this crisis. I would like to pay tribute to all those in our communities who adapted quickly to meet the difficult circumstances and to meet the needs of the most vulnerable.

I know that schools reopening has been met with different responses. Many are delighted that some children can return and sorry for those who still cannot. Others are fearful of children returning. The Government has given a steer but in the end the decision has been left to Head Teachers who are best placed to know what is possible within their own schools. I am aware that this has caused tensions in some places, but I think it is right that Head Teachers have the final decision on this.

I have always felt that it would be harder to get out of lockdown than it was to go in. As with schools there are those who are desperate to get back to work, to re-open their business, and to be able to do all the things that we used to do. There is no doubt that the lockdown has taken its toll on the mental health and wellbeing of many people aside from the virus itself. Government is well aware of this. However, we have to proceed slowly and rightly be guided by the science. That said, science will always provide a range of answers and in the end, one has to decide which science to follow. This is the Government dilemma, and which ever path they choose there will be criticism. As I said previously, as we move forward together, we will have different strongly held views and our needs may be very different. None of us can really know the toll that this situation has taken on the other so I hope that we can continue to show the generosity of understanding that has been shown thus far. The road ahead will not be easy.

Finally, with Parliament back in action I welcome the views of constituents on the various topics and issues before us. On many issues I make comment on my website so please do have a look. www.johnhowell.org.uk. If you have an issue that you would like to raise with me, if possible, please email me at john.howell.mp@parliament.uk. If you cannot email you can write to me at my constituency office - PO Box 84, Watlington, OX49 5XD. My staff all continue to work remotely, and all mail is diverted to my constituency office.

Printed and promoted by John Howell MP House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

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Little Milton WI Thank you to the members that joined our WI zoom in June. It was lovely to see you all again and catch up. We did it in two sessions as our first 40mins ran out but luckily you can restart and go again.

Our next meeting is on Thursday 9th July. Our plan was to have a Wimbledon tea party in Anne’s garden. This may still go ahead if the weather is nice and if we’re allowed to meet in larger groups. If not, we’ll be zooming again. Let me know if you'd like to join us and I'll send you the details. Everyone welcome.

Please phone, email or join us if you’re feeling lonely, want a chat, fancy joining WI or need anything.

Do you live in Little Milton, Great Milton or The Haseleys, want to meet new people, make new friends? Then join Little Milton WI and meet like-minded, local women of all ages in an informal, friendly group.

Details & news on the Pine Lodge page at www.littlemilton.org.uk.

Call Kath Stacey on 279438 or email littlemiltonwi@oxfordshirewi.co.uk

! !

Jo Powell

www.travelcounsellors.com/jo.powell

Call 01865 930028or 07710 824385Email jo.powell@travelcounsellors.com

It’s never been more important to book with a trusted travel advisor, who will look after you every step of the way. For up to date travel information and advice and to discuss any holiday or business

requirements, please get in touch.

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Local Walk – Witheridge Hill Here’s another lovely walk in the Chilterns. We had originally planned to put this in the May issue as it goes through some glorious bluebell woods, but the inability to travel or walk more than an hour during the first phase of lockdown soon put paid to that. Nevertheless, it has some beautiful scenery and is a great walk to do in the summer as a large part of it goes through shady woodland.

The walk starts at the Rising Sun pub at Witheridge Hill, but if you do it before the pub is reopened there is plenty of parking in the road near the pub. There’s also a stopping place on-route for those that like a cup of something.

The walk is about 7 miles and should take you about 2.5 – 3 hours, excluding stops. There is a short cut option for those that like the sound of the walk but don’t want to go quite that distance. The walk is suitable for dog walkers although there are a few fields you cross where dogs must be kept on leads.

To get to Witheridge Hill, take the road to Watlington and then Nettlebed, take the A4130 left out of Nettlebed and then go right on the B481towards Reading. When you reach Highmore Cross turn right on the road to Stoke Row and Witheridge Hill and The Rising Sun are on your right after a short distance.

Walk instructions:

1.! Leave the Rising Sun car park, turning right, walk down the hill, cross the road, and enter the footpath directly opposite.

2.! Follow the path up ap an incline, pass through a kissing gate, across a meadow from which there are good views to another kissing gate. Pass through this an proceed until the path splits. Take the path on the right, passing through another kissing gate, and cross another meadow where there is usually a profusion of wildflowers in the summer to another kissing gate. Pass through this and walk diagonally right across the Highmoor cricket ground, until a kissing gate is reach in the right-hand corner adjacent to the Nettlebed Road (B481)>

3.! Cross over the road, turn right and walk a short distance until you reach the junction Rocky Road meets the B road. You’ll see a bridleway directly ahead of you – take this

4.! Follow the bridleway until you reach Shepherd’s green. Cross the green and through the gate at the end.

5.! Cross the field and enter Sam’s wood, keeping to the path on your right. Go through the 2 gates at the other side of the wood and onto a tarmacked road that goes down towards the B road. Join the Chiltern Way, crossing another Cricket Pitch.

6.! Continue to follow the Chiltern Way through the woods, down a fairly steep slope, across the field until you reach a road. Cross the road and take the path the other side, signposted Greys Court.

! 18

!

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! 19

7.! At Grey’s Court you’ll find a lovely café and a little shop on your left as you

climb up the hill. A great place to stop for a cup of coffee and a snack, although it can be busy on bank holidays.

8.! When you get going again, continue to follow the Chiltern Way through woods and across fields until you reach the Famous Copse woods. In the springtime there is the most wonderful display of bluebells here. When you enter the woods go straight on for a short distance, and turn left onto the bridleway, leaving the Chiltern Way.

9.! Follow the bridleway for about 1km through the woods, At the bottom of the hill, turn right and walk along the path and then take the path to the left going along the edge of the woods.

10.! Continue through the woods and into the field. Cross the field going slightly to your right, cross over the driveway, down the small hill and through the stile into another set of woods.

11.! Follow the path slightly up the hill until you come to a bridleway crossing your path. Take the path to your right.

Alternatively, if you are starting to tire and want to cut the walk short, keep going straight ahead and follow the footpaths on the map, and you should be back at the Rising Sun in less than 30 minutes.

12.! When you reach a tarmacked road crossing your path continue straight on. 13.! When you reach the B481 again cross the road into Deadman’s Lane. This

is a bridleway that eventually reaches Swans Wood. The bridleway continues round the edge of the wood.

14.! Continue uphill to the corner where Howberry Farm is on your right. Look back and admire the view towards Nettlebed. Turn left and continue through the woods on a bridleway. Continue to follow the bridleway track through the woods, ignoring paths to the left and right.

15.! The path eventually comes out onto a tarmacked road with a couple of new houses on your left – continue to follow the road down the hill

16.! The road bends round to the right and then you can see a split in the road, take the path to the left, walk down the hill and then you get to a single-track road – take that to the left

17.! The single-track road ends at a junction. Take the road on your left signposted Witheridge Hill and climb the hill back to the pub.

Maps produced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of HMSO.

Crown Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. Licence no: 100049665.!

! 20

!

!  Renovation work

!  Exterior & Interior Painting & Decorating

!  Plastering

!  Plumbing & Electrical Work

!  Kitchen & Bathroom Installations

!  Floor Sanding & Lacquer Finishing

!  All Aspects of Flooring

All Aspects of Roofing Work Undertaken

Robin Gibb Road, Thame, Oxford OX9 3FD

Mobile: 07796 924 663

Email: kevinomalley1959@icloud.com

www.linkfacilitiespropertyservices.co.uk

LINK FACILITIESPROPERTY SERVICES

! 21

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! 22

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! 23

A D OUSLEY

Domestic & Commercial

ELECTRICIANAll types of electrical installation work including

test and inspection and certification

Telephone Adam on 01844 339793

or 01865 875031 (after 6pm)

Mobile 07976352293 (8am to 6pm)

Email: adousley01865@gmail.com

Registered member of the Electrical

Contractors Association

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A high quality, hand painted finish can transform a dated kitchen for a fraction of the price of a new bespoke one. I also advise on

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! 24

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Headington: 01865 570 700 Marston: 01865 570 000 www.homewoodfunerals.co.uk

Sandra Homewood Darren Je!s Clare Hunter

e are a privately owned and managed family business with

over 65 years experience. Our values are based on providing

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Sandra, together with her principal funeral directors Darren

clear pricing structure with a refreshingly modern approach.

DIABETIC FOOT CARE CORNS CALLUSES NAIL TRIMMING NAIL PROBLEMS ATHLETE’S FOOT VERRUCAE

Professional and confidential treatment in the comfort of your

own home

FOOT HEALTH PRACTICIONER

LINDA NANN MCFHP MAFHP

CONTACT: 07401 086286

Neurovascular Assessment completed on first visit

! 25 !

and

General Building Work

Tel: 01844 279 519 Freephone: 0800 783 7194

Email: windmill2@btinternet.com

www.windmill-services.co.uk

!

We are thinking of everyone in WWe are thinking of everyone in y the local community during this the localthe challenging

munity gy during this l commil comm

ging time. Local, organicproduce is available safely

through our ‘click & collect’ service. For all shop updates please visit our website.

pdates itep

. please visit our webs

www.sandylanefarm.net

SANDY LANE FARM SHOP

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! 26

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! 27 !

Darran’s fresh quality Grimsby fish

Delivering to the Haseleys every

Wednesday

From Dock

to Door

Tel. 07516147804

01865 58 08 79 07411 606 609

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Great Haseley Playing Fields

If you wish to hire the playing fields and/or pavillionplease contact

Margaret or Mike Howlett

Tel: 01844 279409

Email:

howlett690@btinternet.com

! 29

29

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PROMPT PERSONAL ATTENTION

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GREENWAY, HADDENHAM

01844 291200

F.J.WILSONIndependant Family Funeral Directors

Wheatley Dental Practice01865 873314

We are currently accepting new patients at our friendly local dental

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! 30

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ALL MAJOR CARDS

ACCEPTED

Advertising in The Haseleys The Haseleys magazine is published every month except August, and is distributed free to homes in Great Haseley, Little Haseley, Standhill, Rycote, North Weston and Milton Common. The editors are Colin Sheppard, Gill Seymour-Taylor and Derryn Cope. The magazine is printed by Colourplus and is distributed by Caroline Pickett, Elisabeth Spencer, John and Jill Andrews, Jane Simcox, Jennifer Lee, Simon Hale and Jo Powell.

To contact the editors, email editors.thehaseleys@gmail.com or send a letter to “Keepers Cottage, Little Haseley Road, Great Haseley OX44 7LQ”.

Single edition advertising rates are as follows (we no longer charge VAT):

•! Black and White: full page £21, ½ page (landscape) £11, ¼ page (portrait) £6

•! Colour: Full Page £37, ½ page (landscape) £21.

With a full year commitment (11 editions), one edition is provided free.

To advertise, either email or post a copy of your advert to the editors, at the addresses given above. The deadline for incorporation in any issue is the 20th of the previous month but please notify the editors of any new content on its way well before that so space can be reserved. All advertisements must be paid for as detailed in our invoice.

The editors reserve the right not to print items submitted for publication, should they consider the material to be not appropriate, and to edit items which are published, should this be necessary to fit the advert in the space available. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editors or the Parish Council.

!

! 33

Useful Information •! Bell Ringing: Hilarie Rogers (01865 890163) •! Childline: 0800 1111 •! St Peter’s Church, Great Haseley: Rector, Simon Cronk, 278349.

simon.cronk@btinternet.com •! Great Milton Methodist Church: Reverend John Anderson, 01235 529563 or

07726 735892 •! Doorstep milk delivery: Allan Woods, 07773 006485 •! Doctors: Morland House Surgery, London Road, Wheatley, tel. 01865

872448. For out-of-hours service call 0845 345 8995. To arrange transport to the doctor or Thame hospital contact Jane Jefferis on 278743 or Wendy Richardson on 278479

•! Education Centres: Wheatley The Lodge, Wheatley Park School, Holton: 01865 872664. Thame, Towersey Road, Thame: 213400/213114

•! Elder Abuse: Silver Line 0800 4 70 80 90 •! Flooding: Environment Agency Incident Hotline: 0800 807060. •! Great Haseley Village Hall: Bookings: hazel@greathaseleyvillagehall.com,

Committee Chairman: Paul Woodrow: 278363 •! Holton Bridge Club: For info contact Carol at claceysmith11@gmail.com •! Great Haseley & District Horticultural Society: Membership Secretary: Carys

Lindsay, 07984250752, caryselindsay@gmail.com •! Libraries: Wheatley: 01865 875267, Thame: 212288 •! Little Milton WI: Kath Stacey 279438, kathstacey@yahoo.co.uk •! Local News: Thame.net, Thametoday.co.uk, Oxfordmail.co.uk •! Thame Market, Upper High Street, Tuesdays 8.30-4.30, Farmers Market

2nd week of month •! Organic farmers' market, Sandy Lane Farm, Milton Common, Thursdays

2.30-6 pm, Saturdays 10am – 2pm •! Member of Parliament, John Howell: 01491 613088 •! Neighbours Club: For information contact Janet Earl on 279432 •! Playing fields and/or pavilion hire: Margaret or Mike Howlett 279409,

howlett690@btinternet.com •! Parish Clerk: Andrea Oughton: 875635, 30 Rectory Meadow, Chinnor

OX39 4PJ, email clerk@thehaseleys.co.uk •! Post Offices (both will organise dry cleaning): Great Milton Post Office &

Shop: 279455 - will deliver newspapers Monday to Saturday and is open Sunday morning. Little Milton Post Office & Shop: 279001

•! Pubs: The Plough, Great Haseley: 279283, The Bull, Great Milton: 279726, The Lamb, Little Milton: 279527

•! Refuse Collection: Tuesdays except after bank holidays •! Samaritans: 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org. •! Swimming Baths: Thame Sports and Arts Centre: 215607 •! Tennis at the Recreation Ground: To book call Charlotte Ten-Holter 278821 •! Thames Water: To report leaks call 0800 3169800

! 34

!

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Having started nearly 20 years ago and still growing to this day, we understand and value the importance of providing a great customer service and professional standard of work.

Tel: 01844 237070 E: sales@windmillwindows.com

www.windmillwindows.com

We are a local, approachable firm with a strong reputation of providing extremely high standards of workmanship. We have taken the time to source the best products from all over the UK, building strong, trustworthy and lasting relationships with our suppliers to provide the high level of service and product range that we believe our customers deserve. If you have any questions please

feel free to contact us and one of our friendly team will be more than happy to discuss any requirements you have to help you in achieving your goal.

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! 35

We are looking for an enthusiastic and organised individual to be part of our sales team.

You will be responsible for, arranging viewings, registering applicants, matching applicants, negotiating offers and progressing sales.

Experience in estate agency would be advantageous.

Professional manner, excellent communication skills,smart appearance and driving licence essential.