I want to start my story by talking about my meeting with Andy and Laura Jarvis. Me and my daughter Katrine (aged 6) and my sister Marina and her daughter Nastya (aged 10) escaped from the aggressive and horrible invasion by Russia on Ukraine.

Just before we escaped Ukraine, I wrote a short post about myself and my family on Facebook. Andy and Laura, who wanted to support Ukrainians in these troubling times, saw this post and sent me a message welcoming me and my family to their house together with many photos of their beautiful family. My sister would stay at another lovely home nearby with Miriam and her dog Ruby. When I saw the message and the photos of our future home, I just fell in love with Blewbury.

When we arrived in this beautiful small village, I was very surprised at how many kind and friendly people live here. Everyone was very happy to help us in every situation, including taking us to the bank and to the supermarket. Every person we have met has offered us something different, treating us to burgers at the Beer Festival, croissants and pain au chocolates, sweets for the children, candles, chairs, flowers, clothes for the children, English lessons and above all the possibility for us to feel safe and happy.

A week after we arrived in Blewbury, our children started in the school where they began to learn English and immediately felt more at home in their new environment. They have made many new friends and are beginning to enjoy their new lives in Blewbury.

Blewbury is beautiful, with many lovely old houses, delightful views of the countryside, wonderful people, horses, rabbits, red kites and squirrels! Everybody takes care of their gardens, this is one of the reasons why this village is so comfortable, cosy and welcoming.

In time, I think that Blewbury will become like a second home for me, my family and every Ukrainian refugee that comes here. I want to say a big thank you from the bottom of my heart, to everyone that has supported and continues to support Ukraine and our people.

From Hanna and my family, with love.

Blewbury A-level student Jordi Hart was selected to join the national team for the UCI Downhill World Cup at Fort William, Scotland, on 21st-22nd May, despite not living near any mountains!

Unfortunately, the event was something of a washout – literally! The weather went from very bad to cataclysmic, which left all the riders sitting in the wind and rain at the top of the mountain for about an hour. Many riders, including Jordi, also had to repeat their race following a big crash by a rider from the USA.  In the end, an exhausted Jordi finished 33rd out of 60. Still, this is what downhill mountain biking is all about! It is an extreme sport that requires immense skill and precision, as well as no fear.

Jordi has shown he has what it takes: he started racing bicycles at the age of 6 in the form of BMX racing. He was selected to race for Great Britain at the age of 7 at the World BMX Championships, and by the time he was 11 he had received financial support from Blewbury’s Tony Loy Trust to help develop his talent. At 13, he changed sports to Mountain Biking and quickly excelled. However, not all was straightforward for him: two years later, he suffered from Osgood Schlatter disease which affected his ability to train and ride bikes for long stints. But in 2022, with his knees getting better, he made a podium in his first race.

Next up in Jordi’s ring calendar: the British National in Llangollen, Wales, and then the UCI IXS European Downhill Cup in Austria. 

After attending Blewbury pre-school and primary school, Jordi now studies at the Downs School in Compton and has a keen interest in Aerospace Engineering. He is fully funded by his parents, therefore any support is welcome. Just call me on 07795 807243 or email me at ebaracing@gmail.com. Gareth Hart

With all my heart I would like to thank my clients who supported me to go to Ukrainian border as a volunteer to help people in need.

Just like on the artist’s palette, there is a colour in our lives that gives it beauty and raises a smile on the face of another person. It is the colour of goodness. Selfless help is a very valuable gift, which people offer to another person without expecting anything in return, therefore man’s greatness can be judged by not what he possesses but by what he shares with others.

Therefore, I would like to thank Luisa Baldini, Jules March, Audrey Long, Caroline and Matt Pettigrew, Vivi and Paul Tuvey, Monique Wilkinson, Tessa Mayhew and Sasha and Peter Way for financial support to cover some expenses associated with my journey. I also would like to thank all my clients for sincere interest throughout four weeks of my stay on the Ukrainian border.

Marek Kosinski

Congratulations to Cyril and Margaret Godwin who celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary with their close family on March 31st (they even had a card from the Queen!) They met at a Nettlebed dance and married at Remenham church, Henley-on-Thames in 1962.

They moved to Blewbury in 1964 after visiting a friend in the village and falling in love with it and went on to have four girls here, who have all loved it just as much. The key to success in their long and happy marriage? Their support for each other through the good, the bad and the sad.

Jeanette Godwin-White

Zak Corderoy is delighted to announce that he will be joining Gearlink Kawasaki Racing Team for his debut season in the British Supersport Championship, part of the Bennetts British Superbikes.

He will be aboard the Kawasaki 600 alongside teammate, Northern Irish rider Eunan McGlinchey who remains in the team for a second year.

Corderoy had an impressive season last year, finishing in a strong 3^rd position in the Junior Superstock 600 Championship. “Mega excited to join Gearlink Kawasaki for 2022,” says the 22-year-old from Blewbury. “Thank you to Michael and the team for the opportunity. Really looking forward to getting back out on the bike and showing every-one what we can do. We are going to train hard over the winter and come into next season in the best shape possible. Can’t wait to get back out on a Kawasaki again. It wouldn’t be possible without my loyal sponsors – Oxon Ltd, Fire System Services, Parker and Warne, Pro53, the Tony Loy Trust, R&G Protection, Shark, RST, Essence of Nature, HMY Customs, Performance Impact, Family and friends!”

Team Manager Ben Wilson adds: “We are really pleased to have signed Corderoy and retain McGlinchey for another year. We feel we have a strong line up this year and I believe both riders can run at the front. It has always been the ethos of the Gearlink team to develop and bring on new riders and I feel there is definite potential in both Corderoy and McGlinchey. McGlinchey finished in a strong 6^th place in last year’s championship and has shown that he has the pace to be on the podium. Corderoy really caught my eye with his mature approach to racing and his dominating form towards the end of last season in the Junior Superstock 600 Championship”.

The Governors of Blewbury School are delighted to announce the appointment of a new Headteacher for the School. Ms Jo Reeder will from January 1^st be promoted to this position from her current Head of School position.

Since she joined the School in September 2021 she has been working closely with Ms Lisa Austin, who during 2021 has been the School’s Executive Headteacher. After the Christmas holidays Lisa will no longer be at the school as Executive Headteacher but will continue as part of an Oxford Diocesan Schools Trust  (ODST) support team working alongside Jo in her new role.

Jo and Lisa have achieved a great deal working together during the last few months, and the school is now in a much stronger position than it was when they arrived. The progress that has been made by these two leaders working with the rest of the staff has made this move to a more standard leadership structure possible. The Governors wish to thank Lisa very warmly for all she has done for the School, and pledge their support to Jo as she takes on the task of leading the School forward in 2022.

Blewbury School Governors