ENSTONE ENSIGN
Number 470 March 2024
Newsletter for Enstone Parishioners
THE CHASE BENEFICE – MARCH
Sunday 10 March, Mothering Sunday
8am Chadlington (BCP)
10am Ascott
Sunday 17 March 8am Spelsbury (BCP)
10am Enstone
Sunday 24 March, Palm Sunday
10am Chadlington
Sunday 31 March, Easter Sunday
8am Spelsbury (BCP)
10am Services at Enstone, Chadlington, Ascott
Sunday 7 April 8am Enstone (BCP)
10am Spelsbury
From the Registers:-
Baptisms:-
Maxwell Benjamin Eaton 11th February Enstone
Emme Elle Eaton 11th February Enstone
Snowdrop Tea
It was lovely to see so many people at the church for our Snowdrop Tea. Paddy Gallagher, from Charlbury, sent in a beautiful picture of snowdrops with the church tower in the background. Congratulations to Paddy on winning the photo competition!
Coffee morning, Saturday 16 March, 10am-12pm
Join us for coffee/tea, cake and a chat at St Kenelm’s. There will be some knitted Easter treats for sale.
All items for the April Ensign in by 28th March (or sooner, if you have it ready) please, to Hillside (blue door opposite the Harrow Inn) or ring 677231 for shorter items. You can also email me at info@andreabates.co.uk
PARISH COUNCIL NEWS- FEBRUARY
Planning Applications
- Broad Close, Little Tew Road, Church Enstone, 24/00025/S73 – no
objection.
- Taillards Barn with The Grove, 24/00272/FUL, Erection of a single-
storey link extension and associated works – no objection.
- Taillards Barn, The Grove, 24/00272/FUL & 24/000273/LBC – no
objection.
- Land Formerly known as The Square, Church Enstone,
App/D3125/W/23/3331704 – Residents from Church Enstone attended the meeting and read out their objections to this planning appeal. In summary, “the sustainable development claim is not justified, several policies are contravened, the comment on Paragraph 11d of the NPPF is inaccurate and the reference to the Planning Officer’s recommendation is irrelevant.” It was also recommended that the Appeal Officer should visit the site and note the number of listed buildings in the village. The PC confirmed its objection to this application had not changed.
- Southcombe Farm 24/00287/FUL, Construction of replacement
dwelling and associated works – no objection
Decisions Received
- None.
PARISH COUNCIL NEWS:-
- New Bench, Cleveley Road. Received quote and awaiting further
quotes.
- New Noticeboard – Received quotation. The Council will request more
details to make a decision.
- Car park signage at school –The School and Playing Fields Association
will discuss this.
- Emergency Plan – One offer of assistance from a resident.
- New signage, Lidstone Rd – New farm signs have been erected. The
post for the solar sign is in situ and the solar sign has been ordered.
- A road in Lidstone was frozen recently due to the springs on the side.
The Council will request “Road Closed” signs from Highways which can be put out by residents to prevent further accidents in bad weather.
- Land at Crossways – the damaged hedging left on the green area for
several months has now been cleared away.
- Village Shop One Way System, Approved.
- Co-option of Parish Councillor – Enstone resident, Mr Craig Millar has
been co-opted on to the Parish Council
- The Quarry – Smiths of Gloucester have purchased the old quarry.
There is concern that contaminants can get into the water supply. The Environment Agency will be contacted regarding the water. There is concern about the Japanese Knotweed and asbestos on the site, Smiths have advised that they will deal with the asbestos and knotweed appropriately so as not to affect the local environment.
- Green Gym had asked if the PC would like the Enstone Corner and
Gagingwell pond tidied up again this year. The council will ask them for a cost.
- Weed control quote – the council approved this.
- Adams Stores, parking issue. Vehicles are being left in the 2-hour slots,
often for far longer than 2 hours,
- The Harrow – Visits by the licensing authority and Health and Safety
were made but no action was taken.
Dates of Next Meetings – 7.00 pm Enstone Parish Hall
- Thursday 21st March
- Thursday 25th April
Parish Website …..
The parish website is for information from all organisations within the parish so please let me know if you wish to have any information put onto the website (https://enstone-pc.gov.uk). The Parish Council thanks Mrs Rachel Hunt, webmaster honorarium, for all her dedicated and hard work relating to the management of the website.
Mrs Beth Sinclair, Enstone Parish Clerk, Briery Cottage, 9 Alexandra Square, Chipping Norton, OX7 5HL Tel: 07896 150265 Email:- clerk@enstone-pc.gov.uk
ADAMS STORES PARKING
I’m sure we would agree that Rooban and his family have breathed new life into our village shop. It is a fundamental part of our village life. Parking by the shop is increasingly becoming a problem. Vehicles are being left in the 2-hour slots, often for far longer than 2 hours. Often the lack of parking is becoming a deterrent to visitors to the shop. So we are asking people to park considerately and not overstay the 2 hour parking period, in order to allow the public to park and use the shop. The village needs the shop. Parking enforcement is managed by Oxfordshire County Council with their Civil Enforcement Team. Illegally parked vehicles can be reported on Oxfordshire County Council website.
ENSTONE ECO
We have been busy this month finding out what is already happening in the Parish to conserve and enhance biodiversity. This is our first step towards creating a draft Biodiversity Action Plan for the Parish Council to consider. We are pleased to be in contact with Enstone School, The Evenlode Catchment Partnership, Wild Oxfordshire, St Kenelm’s Church, The Garden Club and Chipping Norton Green Gym and aim to make contact with others over the next few weeks.
We have been inspired by:
- Pre-school children collecting litter with pickers along Cox’s Lane
- Primary school children being Champion monitors of the River Glyme
- Those taking part in the Parish Council litter pick or who pick up litter on their daily walks
- Many others passionate for our wildlife and habitats.
If you would like to be involved, know how to identify different species or want to let us know what other local groups are doing for our environment, please get in contact. We’d love to hear from you!
Other things you can do to help:
- Take part in Evenlode Catchment Partnership Citizen Science Summit to learn how to monitor our rivers 16th March Chadlington Memorial Hall. Contact swoller@earthwatch.org.uk
- Investigate our household plastic and help gather evidence on the plastic waste problem 11-17 March, see thebigplasticcount.com to take part.
Get in touch on enstoneeco@gmail.com
ENSTONE DUCK RACE
On 28th March 2024 at 1430. After last year’s success of raising money for the school we will be racing 350 rubber ducks along Heythrop Park’s waters again.
Take part by purchasing one of our ducks £2.50 each and cheer them on as they race to the finish. Ducks can be purchased in person and some online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/friends-of-enstone-school
1st prize £100 sponsored by Warner Leisure
2nd Prize £50 sponsored by Worth’s Coaches
3rd Prize £25 sponsored by Wurzel
4th Prize £15 sponsored by Severn Trent
5th Prize £10 sponsored by Severn Trent
Lucky Duck prizes sponsored by wurzel
Prize giving after the race.
ENSTONE PRIMARY SCHOOL NEWS: ECO WARRIORS SPECIAL REPORT
This year, our Eco Warrior team, led by Mrs Pearson, are involved in a very special project which sees Enstone Primary School become the first “Citizen Science Water Quality School” on the River Glyme. Working alongside the Evenlode Catchment Partnership, in association with “Wild Oxfordshire”, our pupil team are taking responsibility for carrying out visual inspections and water quality checks and reporting back their findings on the river’s condition. The River Glyme currently has a poor ecological status, with potential sources of nitrate pollution being fertiliser run-off, sewage discharge and livestock activities. This can make the river unsafe for swimming and lead to loss of biodiversity. The Eco Warrior team, armed with testing kits, will check nitrate and phosphate levels and report on any visible pollutants, as well as making observations about the local flora and fauna. We are delighted that Enstone Primary School has become the project’s first Catchment Champion School and look forward to making a purposeful contribution towards this important environmental project. Sarah Mann, Headteacher
ENSTONE GARDEN CLUB NEWS
A talk on ‘Greenhouses: a year round source of seedlings, salads and sanctuary’, 25 March 7.00 Parish Hall: We are delighted that David Edwards, who regularly opens his gardens and greenhouses in Dean, near Chadlington under the National Gardens Scheme, will share his experience and advice about using greenhouses in the garden.
Spring Flower Show, Saturday 13 April, Parish Hall: The schedule of classes for the Spring Flower Show is included in the March Ensign. Exhibits to be staged before 12.00 noon, and the show will be open to the public between 2.00 and 4.00 pm.
Spring Plant Sale, Saturday 11 May 10.00 – 12.00 at the Parish Hall car park: Make a diary date to purchase inexpensive vegetable plants and herbaceous cuttings at the Garden Club Spring Plant sale.
Renewal of Membership: Members are encouraged to renew their membership for 2024 by direct BACS transfer or at one of the club’s events. Subscription rates are unchanged at £10 individual, £15.00 joint. The account details are: Enstone Horticultural Society, Sort code 20 03 84, Account 30354163
Once you have renewed we will deliver your membership card as soon as possible so that you can continue to obtain 10% discounts at local garden centres and join in the activities of the Garden Club.
Enstone Garden Club Spring Flower Show Schedule
April 13th 2024 2-4 p.m. Enstone Parish Hall.
Entry is free and is open to all
Cut flowers only, except where stated.
Class Description
Narcissi 1. Trumpet Daffodils 3 blooms 1 variety
2. Large cup 3 blooms 1 variety
3. Small cup 3 blooms 1 variety
4. Double flowered 3 blooms 1 variety
5. Multi-headed 3 blooms 1 variety
6. Miniature 3 blooms 1 variety
7. 5 different varieties 5 blooms 5 varieties
Tulips 8. Darwin type 3 blooms 1 variety
9. Parrot type 3 blooms 1 variety
10. 3 different varieties 3 blooms 3 varieties
11. Other types (eg Lily-flowered, Kaufmanniana, miniature, double headed etc) 3 blooms 1 variety
Others 12. Muscari 6 stems 1 variety
13. Hyacinth 1 stem 1 variety
14. Fritillaries 4 stems 1 or more varieties
15. Alliums 3 stems 1 or more varieties
16 Any other bulbs 3 stems 1 variety
17. Aquilegia 3 stems 1 or more varieties
18. Clematis 1 specimen with stalk,
19 Clematis 3 flower heads floating in a saucer
20 Hellebores 3 heads floating in a saucer
21. Iris 3 stems 1 or more varieties
22. Pansies 6 flowers of one or mixed colours
23. Polyanthus 3 stems 1 or more varieties
24. Wallflowers 3 spikes 1 or more varieties
25. Flowering Shrub 1 stem max 18”
26. “What is best in my garden today” 3 stems, one or more varieties
27. Bowl of flowering bulbs
28. Bunch of spring flowers.
29. A potted flowering plant
30. Potted flowering Orchid
Exhibits to be staged between 10:15 and 12:00 on Saturday April 13th in the Parish Hall.
Registration of entries will commence at 10.00 a.m. Entry is free and is open to all.
No exhibitor may enter more than one exhibit in any one class.
Exhibitors must provide their own vases, dishes etc., at their own risk.
Entries must be grown by the exhibitor.
Judging will take place from 12:15. The Judge’s decision is final.
Any queries please ring 01608 677074 Entries to be removed by 4:30 p.m.
WYCHWOOD CHORALE
The Wychwood Chorale are giving their spring concert on Saturday 23rd March at 7.30pm in All Saints’ Church, Churchill. OX7 6NJ.
The music theme is Weather and entitled “Never Mind the Weather” with a typically eclectic mix of pieces, from George Harrison to Bob Chilcott.
As usual, there will be no charge to attend the event. Voluntary donations will be divided between the church and FarmAbility, an Oxfordshire based charity which runs a farm-based programme for adults with learning difficulties. There will be free refreshments available after the concert, provided by the members of the choir. Please see the website www.wychwoodchorale.org.uk for further details about this and future events.
NEPAL CONCERT THANK YOU
A Big Thankyou to everyone who came to the Concert In Aid Of Schools in Nepal on December 16th 2023 at Enstone Parish Hall. We had an excellent turn out and made a total of £1750. In addition to thanking everyone who came to the concert and those who donated but who weren’t able to make it to the concert, we would like to thank everyone who donated warm clothes and school supplies for us to take to Nepal last November. The clothes and supplies are appreciated so much by all of the children, parents and teachers.
We will use the money we raised at the concert when we visit Nepal later on this year. It will be used for uniforms and school supplies for as many children as possible.
If you would like to follow our story or get involved please see our webpage www.hihnepal.org. Sue Lee, Diane Wild and Freda Seath.
LIVING WREATH WORKSHOP
Breathe life into Spring and craft your woodland wonders at our living wreath workshop. In a stunning woodland location in Cleveley, OX7, Saturday March 23rd 2024. Over the course of two hours, you’ll have the opportunity to craft your own exquisite living willow wreath to use time and time again. All materials thoughtfully provided to inspire your creation. As you weave natural beauty into your living wreath, we’ll provide you with welcome drinks, tea, coffee and scrumptious cake. £85.00 per person.
Book now: canopycreations.co.uk or alternatively contact Miranda Thomas: 07833296091 to find out more.
ENSTONE W.I.
At our February meeting we discussed this year’s shortlisted WI Resolutions. The largest vote from our members was for the one concerned with ‘the impacts of poor housing conditions’. On Thursday 14th March we will be celebrating Enstone WI’s birthday. As well as sharing a meal we are looking forward to listening to Alison Parris singing a selection of songs. If you would like to find out more about our WI please contact our Angela Taylor on 677728
Enstone Sports & Social Club
Sky sports
New members welcome
Kids easter party – March T.B.C. Darts competition – date T.B.C, Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for further details on the above. Charity Six-a-side cricket – Saturday 15th June Enstone cricket – starts again most Sundays from mid-April, anyone interested in playing can contact Jonathan Watts on 07818697752 The club is open every Friday 7pm-11pm, Saturday 3pm till close and Sundays from 12pm to 3pm. Sky sports on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All welcome, The club is open to everyone. Club meetings 7pm: March 11th, April 8th, May 13th, June 10th, AGM July 15th. Memberships: Adults £10, under 18’s and Over 65’s £5 |