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Village News

Parish Clerk vacancy

January 11, 2025

Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer for Blewbury Parish Council

Blewbury Parish Council is looking for a clerk and RFO. This part-time position will take between 65 and 75 hours per calendar month, working from home apart from monthly council meetings on the second Wednesday of each month, the annual parish meeting and finance (& other) committee meetings. These are all generally held in the evening.

The clerk provides administrative and clerical support, as well as managing the council’s finances. Local government experience would be an advantage but is not essential – training and personal development is actively encouraged.

We’re looking for a proactive self-starter who can demonstrate a calm, organised approach to work, and show attention to detail. You should have good communication skills, and we’d expect you to be  used to working in Word and Excel. The council uses Scribe to process financial information – prior experience of this not essential.

Salary will be at the appropriate point on the scale LC2 SPC18–28 – between £15.84 and £19.66/hour – depending on experience. There is an allowance of £26/month for working from home, plus pension contributions.

Please contact the clerk at blewburypc@gmail.com for a full job description and application form. The deadline for applications is 31st January 2025.

It’s panto time!

December 12, 2024

The owners of a smallholding in the Oxfordshire town of Tabbyshire are pinning hopes of saving their home and business on their faithful farm cat, Puss.

After being hit with the news that their land and livelihood could not be inherited by them and instead would be taken by a greedy ogre and two estranged sons, Molly Muck (founder and owner of and Mucks Home Grown Emporium) and Peter (Mollys youngest son) could face a life on the street.

Molly Muck commented “It’s all too much for me”, but was told to “Pull your socks up, Muck!”.

The King has taken the unusual step of getting involved in the and case and has offered the Mucks part-time work and lodging at the palace. But will it be enough, or will it take a fairy, some furry friends and magical footwear to bring this story a happy ending?

With lots of laughs, songs and very little politics, Puss in Boots is a traditional pantomime for all the family… etc

Based on Charles Perrault’s telling of the classic tale, Puss in Boots takes you on a journey of a firm friendship, in fantastic footwear.

A wonderful way to warm up January!

BOX OFFICE is @ www.blewburyplayers.co.uk

More info on our website.

TICKETS: £16 Adults; £8 children

7.30pm nightly & 2.30pm Saturday matinee

The Bulletin appoints a new editor

November 24, 2024

The Blewbury Bulletin is grateful for the fantastic response to our November appeal for a new editor; we had a good number of great candidates.

As a result, we are  pleased to announce that Neville Hargreaves (left) will be taking over the hot seat from early 2025. Neville and his wife Sarah have  lived in Blewbury since 2015 and are part of the team running the Blewbury Garden Market. He works in the renewable fuels industry, on a project to make jet fuel from household waste; he will be going part-time in January which should allow him to spend more time walking – and to edit the Bulletin.

At the same time, Brian Mills (right) will be taking over as online content manager and webmaster. Brian has also lived here since 2015 and works part-time as an IT programme manager.

Blewbury School rated ‘Good’ and ‘Outstanding’

June 19, 2024

Blewbury School is delighted with the outcomes from its recent Ofsted inspection, which gave the School an overall grade of ‘Good’ with its Early Years provision being graded as ‘Outstanding’.

The now published Ofsted report recognises the School’s ‘high ambitions’ and how children work hard, behave well and achieve well. It states that leaders ‘have high aspirations for pupils. They share the same inclusive vision and keep pupils at the heart of decision-making’. Inspectors also praised the School’s focus on reading, and how it ‘provides well for pupils’ wider development’ with a range of experiences such as pupil leadership opportunities, trips and clubs.

The ‘Outstanding’ Early Years provision is highlighted, with the report stating that ‘children get off to an excellent start. The early years curriculum prepares children well for the next stage of their education. Children cooperate extremely well with each other and happily share resources with friends.’

Headteacher, Jo Reeder, said: ‘We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the inspection. The first sentence of the report ‘pupils are proud of their inclusive and caring school’ absolutely reflects our ethos. I am incredibly proud of the staff team for their hard work and dedication; and am grateful to governors, parents, carers and wider community for supporting the School on its improvement journey. I am delighted with the way pupils articulated and showed our values to the inspectors, who particularly commented to us on how respectful and tolerant they were of each other’s views and differences.’ 

The successful inspection outcome marks an important milestone for our School which joined multi-academy trust Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust (ODST) in January 2020 following a previous inspection that was not so positive. The School has since undergone a transformation with new leadership and support from ODST.

Anne Dellar, ODST Chief Executive said: ‘Ofsted inspections are rigorous and to be graded ‘Good’ with ‘Outstanding’ for Early Years education is a remarkable achievement. Children really are getting the best possible start at Blewbury. I’m extremely proud of the School leaders, staff and children, who make it such a happy and inclusive environment in which to learn. Blewbury strives for excellence and ODST will continue to support the school through this next exciting chapter.’

The School governors, led by Ann Parham, have also congratulated the School for this huge commendation for its work.

In the photo: Headteacher Jo Reeder (left) & Chair of Governors Ann Parham with four jubilant House Captains

Margaret Pritchard – 30 years not out!

September 19, 2024

Over the last 30 years many Blewbury School pupils and teachers have come and gone. Meanwhile, Margaret Pritchard has remained at the heart of providing their school dinners.

It is little known that Margaret herself had been a pupil at Blewbury School and hated school dinners at the time, especially the liver! She has however gone on to make an outstanding contribution to the School, serving under five headteachers and preparing and serving an estimated 750,000 meals to around 3,500 pupils. (Yes, that’s three quarters of a million!)

Margaret’s role extends well beyond the preparation of food. She provides positive impact in the daily lives of the children helping with their social development and has a keen set of additional eyes for their welfare. She knows every child by name, their dietary requirements and preferences. Every day, each child arriving at the servery is greeted with a warm smile and treated according to their individual needs.

Margaret has during that time seen much change. She remembers when the kitchen was where the Year 6 Banksy classroom is today and how the current kitchen was the PE store. She loves watching the children develop and grow up through the School and is always sad to see the year 6 cohort leave. Cooking and serving Christmas dinner is one of Margaret’s favourite times of the school year which is always a little bit of a challenge with so many children taking part.

Margaret herself is a high achiever when it comes to passing tests. Food hygiene standards in the school kitchen are one of her top priorities which is demonstrated by successive top scores from environmental health food hygiene inspections.

Margaret is a popular and valued staff member and a daily constant in the lives of the children The School would not be the same without her, and former pupils talk warmly about the role that she has had in their lives and the delicious food that she prepared for them. The entire school team, governors, along with pupils past and present and the wider village community whole heartedly thank Margaret for her service, dedication and commitment shown over the last three decades enriching the lives of so many children. She is undoubtedly one of Blewbury’s unsung heroes!

 

Village Carol Concert

December 1, 2024

VILLAGE CAROL CONCERT – MONDAY 16TH DECEMBER – ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH

Everybody welcome! Orchestra rehearsal 7.15-7.30, doors open 7.35pm, concert starts at 8pm.

A joyful evening heralding all Christmas festivities, with lots of great carols for all to sing with items from the school, church choir, orchestra, brass band and some festive readings. The retiring collection will be for Crisis Homeless Charity.

How to join the ad hoc orchestra
If you can play any instrument, do come and join our ad hoc orchestra. The only qualification needed is enthusiasm! The music is very straightforward and, if wanted, is available from early December. It is helpful to know how many chairs to put out so please contact Lindy on lindyfarrell(at)btinternet.com to reserve yours. Please arrive at 7 to be ready to play at 7.15. Please bring a music stand.

 

Blewbury Village Society December 2024

Thank you to everyone who came to Bonfire Night, and particularly to the Amazons for lending us their floodlights, Savages for providing the event banner, Martin Cox for his generator, Pete Baker for the amazing fireworks display, and all the helpers who collected wood, baked and served potatoes, ran the entrance desks, marshalled, organised and served beer, wine and other goodies, and much more: we could not have done it without you! Over 900 people attended, making it a very successful event – so much so that we got through all the supplies of beer and nearly all the mulled wine!

Christmas is coming…

The BVS is delighted to continue running two favourite Christmas events this year: Santa’s Sleigh and Carols on the Playclose on Christmas Eve; and the Boxing Day Walk on 26th December. See page 3 for more details.

  • Tuesday 24th December – Santa’s Sleigh and Carols on the Playclose. Santa’s village tour starts at Bohams Road (London Road end) at 5:00 pm and ends in the Playclose at 6:30 pm, where he will give out presents. Please see the Christmas feature on page 3 for details of how to get your child onto Santa’s list!
  • Thursday 26th December – Boxing Day Walk. Registration from 10:00 am at the Village Hall, skits at 10:30 am and walk at 11:00 am.

Plus, do join us to blow off the cobwebs/clear the hangover for the convivial Roger Cambray Memorial Walk from Blewbury to The Bell Inn at Aldworth and start the new year on a high note! We meet at The Pound at 10:30 am on Wednesday 1st January 2025.

BVS marquee for hire

The BVS marquee is available for hire by other groups, societies and individuals in the village for a small charge. It measures 12m × 6m and has sides if needed. If you were at the Beer Festival, or have supported the Fireworks Night or Summer Dance, you may have seen it in action. To book it, contact lydia.wanstall@gmail.com.

Sustainable Blewbury

Quaker Wood Planting Day, Sat 7 December, 10am to 1pm.

If you would like to plant a tree or trees as part of this exciting project please come along to Quaker Wood on 7 December. We will have some bare-root trees 40-60cm high to plant with tree shelters and canes in pre-marked locations within the woodland site. You will be shown how to plant and fix the shelter.

You are welcome to bring children but they must be supervised at all times.

Wear appropriate footwear and clothing, gloves, and bring refreshments and a spade if you have one. Toilets available in the Village Hall. RSVP to anthony@stiff.org.uk or call 07798 876819 by 2 December if you can come because we need to know how many trees to make available. If you have any saplings which you have been keeping for the wood, bring these too and let Anthony know the number.

Nature Reserve. We will be maintaining the hedging on the site on Saturday 14 December between 0930 and noon. Following the enlightening talk on reptiles, James Morgan spotted  a grass snake under one of the reptile mats! Please do not move the mats; they are part of our monitoring programme. Winter bird visitors such as redwing and fieldfare have been arriving so keep your eyes pierced. If you would like to join our list of volunteers, please email the secretary below. Many thanks to everyone who has helped so far.

BLEWBURY FREECYCLE

FREE ITEMS TO A GOOD HOME

E-MAILTEL NO.
Children’s IKEA kitchen with pots and pans. Good conditionJane Dunwoody

Jndunwoody@gmail.com

07850 178306
Vacuum cleaner (Hoover Enigma) in working order

Car battery charger

Alison Clark

kafenken@btinternet.com

850541 (daytime only, please)
Set of junior golf clubs in a golf bag. Also another junior golf bag (no clubs).Lydia Inglis

lydandmuz@gmail.com

07801 932393
To freecycle your item please send a short description, email & phone number to Lydia Inglis (lydandmuz@gmail.com)

If you want to know more about Sustainable Blewbury and become a supporter who receives occasional newsletters, email secretary@sustainable-blewbury.org.uk.

 

Post Office News

We will soon be heading in to our busiest period here at Blewbury Village store and Post Office. Our last Christmas posting dates for Christmas are listed below. Please allow plenty of time for posting. If possible please post items and gifts for Christmas early, particularly for International deliveries.

Wednesday 18 December2nd Class • 2nd Class Signed For • Royal Mail Tracked 48
Friday 20 December1st Class • 1st Class Signed For • Royal Mail Tracked 24
Saturday 21 DecemberSpecial Delivery Guaranteed
Monday 23 DecemberSpecial Delivery Guaranteed (Guaranteed Saturday delivery for an extra fee)

 

The sale of our fresh free range eggs is going well and we have a regular delivery every week so we will always have eggs available. As always we have our delicious local honey, along side a variety of sweet treats, ice lollies, chocolate and cool drinks on sale.

Thank you very much for your business over the last few weeks. We look forward to serving you in a busy December.

For our  opening hours over the festive period, please see next Bulletin. Thanks so much, Sarah, Karen and Andrew