Parish Council Meeting Tues 1st 7.45pm Village Hall Ascension Day Thurs 10th 7.30pm Parish Church PLANT SALE & Coffee Morning Sat 12th 11am Village Hall Church Barbecue Sunday 13th 12 noon Village Hall Village Hall AGM Mon 14th 8pm Village Hall Friendship Club Tues 22nd 2.30pm Poplar House Library Monday 14th Telephone Box Pilates Tuesdays 6.15pm Village Hall Tai Chi Wednesdays 7.30pm Village Hall Cake & Crafting Circle 2nd & 4th Sundays 5pm Parish ChurchGaydon Calendar
Boules & Barbecue June The Olde House Big lunch Sunday 15th July 1pm Village Hall
Sunday 6th
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Burton Dassett
10.30 Holy Communion Fenny Compton
10.30 Holy Communion Gaydon
6.00pm Evensong Farnborough
Ascension Day Thursday 10th
7.30pm Holy Communion Gaydon
Sunday 13th
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Farnborough
10.30 Holy Communion Fenny Compton
10.30 Morning Prayer Gaydon
10.30 Morning Prayer Northend
6.00pm Evening Prayer Burton Dassett
Sunday 20th
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Gaydon
10.30 Holy Communion Farnborough
10.30 Communion with Methodists Northend
6.00pm Evensong Fenny Compton
Sunday 27th
9.00 Holy Communion BCP Fenny Compton
10.30 Holy Communion Farnborough
10.30 Prayer & Praise Gaydon
10.30 Morning Prayer Northend
Parish Council Chair's Report
Firstly, it is important to thank the Parish, District and County Councillors for their hard work and regular attendance, which has made it possible for us to deal with a fairly heavy workload over the past year. I would also like to thank Corinne, the Parish Clerk, for her contribution and the previous Chair, John Brine, for his efforts over the past year. There have been many issues for the council to face, all of which have required a significant amount of scrutiny in order to deal with properly.
Road traffic through the village has been one of the focal points of debate over the course of the past year, with many voices coming forward with their concerns; and the hard work of the Community Speed Watch group adding some solid data to the mix. Although we have at present been offered a speed-reduction scheme by the County Council, we must continue to work to make sure that whatever solution is decided upon works for Gaydon and will have a noticeable impact.
A series of meetings have also been held in order to examine the governance of the Gaydon/Lighthorne Heath development. Current plans will see all of the JLR site fall inside the borders of Gaydon's parish boundary. This will no doubt foster an even closer working relationship between the council and JLR as both parties try to ensure that their respective interests are well-protected as time goes on. Although progress has slowed somewhat, development of the environment area north of the village should be complete by summer.
The Spitfire development on the Banbury Road has been completed and the first new residents have been welcomed into the village. There have, however, been some issues concerning the integrity of the wildlife corridor around the perimeter of the development in order to minimize the impact of the housing on local wildlife. In the immediate future, the main issue presented by the development is the nature of its street lighting, which GPC is currently working with Spitfire to resolve.
The garage has come under increased scrutiny over the course of the past year, as they have presented speculative applications indicating their desire to expand their site. GPC has maintained that any further development of the site would be totally out of keeping with the surrounding settlement and would be far more of a nuisance and a hazard to villagers than a benefit.
Construction of the Haywards development has at last got underway, meaning that GPC will have to continue to be attentive to make sure that the needs of both present and future residents are properly met.
Additionally, as Gaydon has now met its housing supply obligations as set out by the Core Strategy (at least until 2030), far more pressure will be put on applications to make sure that they both complement the village's rural character and provide some real benefit to
the community.
The Old Warwick Road and the land adjacent have been the subject of much debate and discussion, with access and security being the main points of contention. This will no doubt continue to be a sticking point as the dialogue between the Parish and County councils continues.
The field behind the Church has been acquired at long last and has prompted the use of a survey in order to gauge residents' opinions on how the land should be used going forward. The experience will prove valuable when undertaking data collation projects in future, such as when the time comes to involve residents in the development and publication of Gaydon's Neighbourhood Plan. Tom Hughes
Introduction:
In some ways, the past year has been a quieter one - and as a chair for an agreed period of time due to work commitments - perhaps not so driven as in the previous two years. Nevertheless, there have been many notable points through the past year.
Please note that all areas covered or partially covered by our current chair, Cllr Tom Hughes, in the meeting of the 3rd April, are reported in a pale shade compared to those reported verbally by myself at the
same meeting..
Key themes that have dominated proceedings have included:
The village was surveyed for the use of the acquired play area - guidance for Cllrs was clear and has led to lots of debate. I am sorry that Debi felt that she had to resign.
The new Spitfire Development - some issues have resulted with most recently a debate about lighting. A compromise has been agreed.
The new Haywards development, named as 'Edgehill View' by GPC, has begun and is very much underway. The initial problems with mud have largely improved.
The garage: retrospective application was refused but this is just the latest in appeals and applications for development. GPC is opposed to the developments for which plans have been received.
The has been good partnership with JLR through the Liaison Meetings but the impact of GPC especially with regard to the growing problem of light pollution has been limited.
There has been progress with regard to the Lay-by: thanks to District Cllr Chris Kettle for this.
Community Speedwatch (CSW) has had a growing impact on the traffic issues that have faced Gaydon with much community engagement. Thanks to Cllr Paul who has joined GPC and is our representation with CSW. We are grateful to County Cllr Chris Williams for pledging £10k towards resolving some of the issues that have been highlighted by GPC and CSW.
GLH: in principle, an agreement for governance has been reached in partnership with LHPC, LPC and Chesterton and Kingston PC. This is to be publically consulted on and involves realignment of the boundaries of GPC to the north.
It has been good to see some community projects take place: The annual litter pick, the Summer BBQ - with Cllr Adrian among others undertaking BBQ duties; and the recent Monopoly Night as organized by Cllr Annette (even if not linked to GPC).
The Cemetery: This has been maintained as agreed even though Phase 2 of the hedge cutting did not take place owing to my lack of time. My thanks go to our contractor who maintains the area. The RAF are developing their role in agreement with GPC with regard to the RAF graves. GPC might want to consider the impact of the government move to ensure that child burials are free.
The website: after some time of flux, Cllr Paul has recently developed the website and has made it a lot easier to access. Thanks to Cllr Paul for bring expertise to this area.
It is intended to use the telephone box as the home for the defibrillator. It was beautifully decorated in flowers earlier in the year by a resident.
The rising costs of the parish and the reduction in grants received from the DC has meant that the parish precept was significantly raised.
I want to thank all those who have attended and contributed to meetings, our District and County Cllrs and GPC Cllrs for all that they have achieved for Gaydon. I especially want to thank Cllr Tom for taking over as chair - a role that I couldn't sustain because of work commitments. I also want to thank our clerk for her steadfast effort, her counsel and her passion in the past year. Report delivered by J Brine 03/04/18
At the Annual Parochial Church Meeting most of the PCC members were re-elected and the churchwardens remain as last year: Alastair Hotchkiss and Julie Rickman. Mary Fox's resignation was accepted with reluctance and she was thanked for her many years serving the church both as PCC member and churchwarden.
There will be a service of Holy Communion for Ascension Day on Thursday 10 May at 7.30pm in the church of St Giles, Gaydon.
On Sunday 6 May there will be P@THWAY PRAISE at Temple Herdwyke Community Centre. It starts at 4.15pm and includes refreshments and informal worship. See www.dassettmagna.org.uk
There will be children's Messy Church in Fenny Compton village hall at 3.30pm on Sunday 20 May.
May Bank Holiday Teas
Teas will be served in All Saints' Church, Burton Dassett, during the afternoon on Bank Holiday Monday, 28th May. Proceeds go towards the maintenance of the church.
The AGM of Gaydon Village Hall Committee takes place on Monday 14 June at 8pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
A little girl in the seventies is enjoying playing on the roundabout in the children's playground behind St Marks Close; her dad helped to install it. In the eighties a plaque was put up commemorating the gift of the climbing frame by a local resident. Only five years ago a team of villagers refurbished all the equipment and children loved playing on it, just as they have in all the preceding decades. However, times change and perhaps today's children need more modern things to play on!
Gaydon has at long last seen some sure signs of spring this month. The cold weather seemed endless until it was suddenly followed, in complete contrast, by a very hot spell with temperatures well into 80°F. They have cooled now to an average seasonal level but a sudden spurt of growth was everywhere: trees coming into leaf, or at least blossoms and bulging buds, spring bulbs in full flower and early butterflies like Brimstones and Orangetips on the wing along with Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks emerging from hibernation.
There are huge swathes of Primroses in the hedgerows and clumps of early Cowslips and the rarer Oxslip in areas around Chadshunt and Banbury Road. There are several Blackbirds nesting in my garden and bluetits are using the nest boxes. I have even seen a few Bee Orchids and - surprisingly - clumps of Hyacinths in Watery Lane, obviously cultivars planted in a remote place but doing well.
There will be many large Queen Bumble bees looking for nests, so if they blunder into your greenhouse or sitting room, a flat bit of card and a tumbler is an easy way to release them; you will be helping a valuable pollinator to form a new colony. Another beneficial pollinator is the Red Mason Bee. I mention this solitary species because they love nesting in the crumbling masonry behind the shop on Church Road by the bus stop. You will see scores of little burrows which they return to every year. They don't sting or make honey, just bring up a single grub. They belong to a group called Osmia or solitary bees. The bee hotels you can make, or buy at Garden centres, are on the same principle: to attract them to gardens. Pollinating insects are scarcer now, so every one is vital.
The clear blue skies brought out the Red Kites which seem to increase towards Banbury and they circle often with Buzzards and Ravens high in the thermals. We must hope our resident pair of Ravens will nest this year.
I notice we are losing quite a few Toads and Great Crested Newts to speeding motorists this year, so I am investigating whether we can get some 'slow' signs in Church Road and Kineton Road. It is very sad that they never complete their journey to spawn in a far-off pond.
I saw my first Swallow on the meadow today (24th April) skimming for insects. I also noted the excellent mowing of the grass areas and in the graveyard beyond it: avoiding the large areas of Cowslips that have come up this year - well worth a look...
P.S. I shall be away for next month in South West China...hoping to see one of the Snow Leopards that are still near Urumqi in good numbers; and to visit Kashgar which has a huge Livestock Market including Yaks and Camels. They are on line there so maybe I'll add a few exotic species to my news! Bernard Price
The Library will visit the Telephone Box at Gaydon on Monday 14 May from 1.35-2.05pm.
The May meeting will be held on Tuesday 22nd at 2.30pm at Poplar House, Church Road by kind invitation of Sharon Pettit.
Our coffee morning will be in the Village Hall on Saturday 12 May at 11am.
This month we have our annual plant sale: come and buy or bring your own spare plants to sell.
There is also a book stall, a raffle and coffee and biscuits (50p).
We raise money for our parish church and welcome any contributions.
Simply casting on some stiches can help you de-stress, say researchers at the University of Cardiff*. Knitting co-ordinates our heads, hands and hearts, helping our thinking to become wider, deeper, freer and more interesting. The repetitiveness boosts positive thinking, reduces depression and even helps ease pain.
As we study the stitches and pattern we start to relax, focusing on the rhythmic movement of the needles and yarn and emptying our minds of all the nonsense we carry round in our heads. Better still, knitting is portable and can be done at any time in any place: an instant mind-calmer in your hands.
How to get started? Join your local knit and natter group at St Giles' Church on Sunday afternoons! We meet every second and fourth Sunday at 5-6.30pm and share patterns and skills. We encourage and support one another and, of course, make time for cake, a cuppa and a chat. Find us on Facebook - come and join us!
Jo Hotchkiss 01926 642248
*Mindfulness in Knitting by Rachael Matthews, Leaping Hare Press
A fun evening for all ages was held in the Village Hall with a real jail and supper of cottage pie followed by chocolate brownies and honeycomb ice cream. Over fifty people attended and some requested that we repeat this next year. The amount raised for the St Giles Church funds was £650.
The next fund raising event for the church will be at the end of June (date yet to be confirmed) which will be a Boules and Barbecue Afternoon. It will be in the same format as the one held for FORCE a few years ago. Annette Conway
Village Telephone Box
We would like to thank Cllr Mrs. Annette Conway who saved our telephone box from being removed by BT. The Parish Council was asked over a year ago if we wished to purchase the box for £1 and councillors agreed that we did. The paperwork was completed and sent to the District Council. One day in April Cllr Mrs Conway spotted some BT employees trying to remove it and went and convinced them to leave our box alone. Thankfully it worked and we still have the box which we have now paid for but are still waiting for the confirmation details. It is hoped that it will be used to house a defibrillator.
Church Walk
Residents have asked me to mention that the path or jitty at the side of the Church - official address Church Walk - is a No Cycling path, as the name implies. There is signage at both ends, albeit rather faded at the Church Road end. Although this is a County Highways requirement the Parish Council have asked their contractor to arrange for the sign at the Church Road end to be made clearer.
Dog fouling
We have received reports of dog-fouling in the field. As you are aware this land is now owned by the Parish Council and is considered to be public open space. The dog enforcement officer at the District Council
has confirmed that not picking up after your dog is a criminal offence.
Residents: please continue to report these owners to councillors or the clerk as we have assurances from the District Council that this matter will be taken further. Corinne Hill, Parish Clerk
The flag on the village green was raised on 21st April to mark the birthday of HM The Queen.
It was flown again on 23 April for St Georges Day, Shakespeare's Birthday and, as it turned out, for the birth of Prince Louis Arthur Charles.