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Village News

Concert: Seriously Collins

October 20, 2024

The countdown is on for Seriously Collins, the Phil Collins & Genesis tribute show at the Village Hall (7pm) on Saturday 23rd November. Don’t miss this one-time opportunity to see this truly great tribute band in Blewbury! 

Last chance for Early bird tickets £22 – deadline 31st October and then £25 from 1st November

Limited availability so get your tickets now!

Book your tickets online www.thetonyloytrust.org. For a sneak preview go to www.seriouslycollins.com

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!

 

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

Sustainable Blewbury Talks

November 3, 2024

Our environment – our community – our future together:  Sustainable Blewbury Talks

Introducing Blewbury’s shyest and most secretive residents: Reptiles at Blewbury Nature Reserve by Hayley Snowdon. Monday 4th November, 8.00pm at the Melland Room. Tickets £6, including drink, available on the door.

Hayley will provide insights into the species that have been found at our Nature Reserve and explain how the habitat creation and improvement works we’ve undertaken benefit reptiles and amphibians on the site. She’ll talk about varieties that are thriving and endangered throughout the UK, advise us on how we can develop the best conditions to help them flourish here in Blewbury, and answer your questions about the lives of these extraordinary creatures.

Hayley works at Thames Water as a terrestrial ecologist where she provides ecological advice on protected species and helps deliver habitat improvement schemes.  She also leads on the Thames Water Hazel Dormouse and Reptile Monitoring Programmes.

Nature Reserve. We will be maintaining the paths and hedging on the site on Saturday 9 Nov, and 7 Dec. If you would like to join our list of volunteers, please email the secretary below. Many thanks to everyone who has helped so far.

Quaker Wood Exhibition. Come and see what we are planning over a cuppa and piece of cake. We will be exhibiting our plans for how the woodland will be laid out, the timescales, and the species of trees to be planted on Sunday 17 November, from 2 to 4 pm in the Vale Room.  There will also be an opportunity to volunteer to help with the wood maintenance. For more information on the project, contact Anthony by email: anthony@stiff.org.uk

Repair café, Sunday 17 November, 2 to 4 pm, Village Hall  Bring your household items including clothing, electrical, and gardening articles for mending, tools for sharpening and bikes for fixing for free. There will also be an IT specialist to help you with software problems on your tablets or phones. Refreshments available. Donations welcome to cover costs.

BLEWBURY FREECYCLE   FREE ITEMS TO A GOOD HOMEE-MAILTEL NO.
·  Ladies Halfords mountain bike, approx 22″ wheels, comfort saddle, 2 mudguards and basket. May need inners/tyres replacing and general maintenance.·  Boys mountain bike, approx 16″ wheels. May need inners/tyres replacing and general maintenance.Jayne Westlake
westlakefamily3@gmail.com
07870 791942
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. There are a few last posting dates in November. Last posting date for international standard services is 26th of November and the last date for HM Forces mail is 27th of November.

Please note that from the 28th October to the 5th of November 2024 it is half term so we will be operating our reduced hours of 9am – 12pm. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

I am very excited to announce we have a new local egg supplier. We shall be stocking fresh eggs from the Old Farm Shop, Harwell. These will be available from 16th of October. We will be getting a delivery every Wednesday going forward so we will always have fresh 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.

As well as sending parcels, you can also do banking at the post office, including cash withdrawals, cash deposits and cheque deposits.

We look forward to seeing you in the post office soon. Thanks so much.   Sarah, Karen and Andrew

Blewbury Village Society

October 1, 2024

Fireworks Night, Saturday 2nd November

The BVS Fireworks Night is back this year on Saturday 2nd November in Tickers Folly Field. We have a spectacular firework display planned, and the bar and baked potato stalls will be back, under our beautiful new marquee. Gates will open at 6:00 pm, the bonfire will be lit at 6:30 pm and the fireworks will start at 7:00 pm.

Entry is £6 for adults and £3 for children – cash or card accepted (card preferred). The entry fee includes a baked potato, so it’s a great value family night out!

We will have the usual wood collection for the bonfire with a small collection fee. We are working on transport, but spaces may be limited, so please email blewburybvs@gmail.com or phone Caroline on 07790 566754 if you would like your address to be included on the rounds. The deadline for a request for wood collection is Tuesday 29th October so that we can plan the route. We politely request that you only put out reasonably clean firewood and remove as much metal and plastic as possible. Unfortunately, if you do not adhere to this we may need to refuse to pick the wood up, so thanks in advance for your cooperation.

As always, we need lots of volunteers for this event – in particular with wood collection and potato baking beforehand, and with setup and refreshment serving on the night. If you can help, please email us at the BVS email address above. We’d love to hear from you!

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.

Dates for your diary – It seems a long way off, but December is always a busy month, so don’t forget to put the regular Blewbury events in the diary: Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve (24th December) and the annual Boxing Day walk (26th December) , as well as the Roger Cambray Memorial Walk from Blewbury to The Bell Inn at Aldworth (1st January 2025). More details to follow in next month’s Bulletin and on the BVS Facebook page.

Bridge Club

November 3, 2024

Due to unforeseen circumstances the AGM has been postponed and will now take place at 7pm on Tuesday 5th November in the Vale Room, ahead of a shortened session of bridge

The new Wessex League season has now commenced. Blewbury are now in Division 1 and have, so far, played 2 matches, losing the first, narrowly, to Banbury, but then managed a big win against Oxford ‘B’.

Blewbury bridge Club Realbridge sessions for November are expected to be on the 7th and 21st. we will be joining wantage bridge Club for their Realbridge sessions on the 14th and 28th.

Demand for Friday evening Social bridge has been poor in October, but it is hoped to run a session on the 25th. Dates for November, subject to numbers, will be 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th.     Michael Allen 851870

 

Blewbury WI

The Women’s Institute (WI) was formed in 1915 to revitalise rural communities and encourage women to become more involved in producing food during the First World War. Since then our aims have broadened and we are now the largest voluntary women’s organisation in the UK and currently have around 180,000 members in approximately 5,500 WIs.  Blewbury WI are proud to be one of those wonderful WIs.

We play a unique role in providing women with educational opportunities and the chance to build new skills, to take part in a wide variety of activities and to campaign on issues that matter to us and our communities.

Next main meeting is on Wednesday 27 November at 7.30pm in the Vale room of Blewbury village hall.  We are holding a “Blewbury WI bonanza” evening.  Fun and games, quizzes and other enjoyable activities – as they say “a lorra’ lorra’ laughs”.  Time to meet and chat with the WI crowd.  As always refreshment will be on hand. It promises to be a great night.

If you’d like to come along with someone else or find out more, ring our Secretary, Joy, on 850543 or email blewburywi@gmail.com.  Come as a visitor – give it a try – you will be made so welcome!

Calendar of events

Friday 1 November7pmCraft EveningKaren
Mon 4 November10.30amCoffee morningTrish
Tuesday 5 November7pmEvening ScrabbleLyn
Wednesday 6 November2.30pmRummikubSusanne
Tuesday 12 November12 for 12.30Pub lunchKaren
Tuesday 19 November9.30amWalkKaren
Wednesday 20 November2.30pmAfternoon ScrabbleBabeth
Monday 25 November9.30amChristmas OutingKaren

 

New talk by Prof. Emma Smith

August 22, 2024

 

If you’ve heard her on the radio (in her own show or on Melvyn Bragg’s In Our Time) or listened to her podcasts (Approaching Shakespeare and Not Shakespeare) or read one of her acclaimed books on the First Folio, you’ll know that Emma Smith is one of the best, and most approachable, Shakespeare scholars working today.

In a great coup for The Motley Crew, Blewbury’s newly-formed Shakespeare fan club, Professor Smith has agreed to give a talk right here in the village on Shakespeare’s late works Pericles, The Winter’s Tale, Cymbeline and The Tempest, often collectively known as the ‘Romance Plays’. For anyone thinking of seeing the RSC’s current, well-received production of Pericles, or the upcoming Tempest in the West End, or the Globe’s Cymbeline in the new year, or if you’re simply looking for fresh insights into our greatest playwright, this is an unmissable opportunity to experience Shakespeare scholarship at its best, almost literally on your doorstep!

Emma will be appearing at Blewbury Village Hall at 8pm on Monday September 30th. Tickets are £7.50, including refreshment (a bargain – the Oxford Literary Festival charged £13!) and are on sale at the Post Office or via email at admin@themotleycrew.org.uk. You can also use this email address to join the Motley Crew mailing list.

Pre-Show Talk on Pericles

The Motley Crew has organised a coach trip to Stratford to see Pericles on September 11th. The trip itself is sadly sold out, but there’s also an introductory talk on the play a couple of days earlier, given by Chris Whatmore, to which everyone is welcome. This will take place in the Vale Room at 7.30 pm on Monday September 9th. Tickets for this event are £2.50, also available at the Post Office or via email at the above address.

Blewbury Climate Action

October 1, 2024

Sustainable Blewbury Repair Café, Sunday 15th September

This was our 15th Repair Café. The weather was fine, and we had a lot of grateful customers. We had a lot of customers for sharpening, and our volunteer specialists also repaired several bikes, clothing, a sewing machine, a table, radios … and a stone cutter. Repair Cafes are free, but customers usually give donations which cover the hire of the Village Hall and Vale Room. This time there was more than £40 surplus so that will go towards the expenses of our upcoming program of speakers. Details of the programme will be in the next SB Newsletters and elsewhere. The next Repair Café is on November 17th – put it in your diary

Why do we hold Repair Cafes?

For sustainability: The repaired items are reused rather than replaced, which minimises use of valuable resources, and as customers watch the repairs being done they often learn how to do them themselves, but please avoid putting yourself into danger.

Keeping warm this winter.

The consumer organisation Which? has tested and compared store-bought vs DIY draught excluders to see how much cold breeze they let in, and their results showed that best draught excluder for your front door won’t cost you a penny! They compared four popular shop-bought draught excluders for front doors with two homemade versions they’d seen recommended online. You can read their results in their magazine or online (for free!) Their tests showed that a rolled up towel was better than any of the shop bought ones (brush, rubber or cloth), and that the other often recommended home-made version (tights stuffed with rolled-up newspaper) was by far the worst option. The advantage of brush or rubber draught excluders are that they are screwed to the door, while all the others must be put back into position every time the door is opened.

Which? has also tested loft and wall insulation.                                                           Jo Lakeland