Blewbury WI’s next main meeting is on Wednesday 26th March in the Vale room of the Village Hall at 7.30pm. Members only this time for the Annual Meeting. We will have opportunity to review the previous year’s programme of activities, tie up any business from the last year and make plans for the future. It’s when we vote in the new committee and vote the President into position.

Once the ‘business’ is done – we will be pretty quick – we are also promised a fun evening – who knows what we will get up to? Take our word for it – it’ll be enjoyable and we will have some refreshments (!) and nibbles.

To find out more, ring our Secretary, Joy, on 850543 or email blewburywi@gmail.com

Calendar

Our climate is now more than 1.5C warmer than at any time since the pre-industrial age.

The new USA president has withdrawn from the 2015 Paris Climate agreement and declared a national climate emergency, promising to fill up oil reserves. In his inaugural address, he vowed to “drill, baby, drill” for more fossil fuels, and pledged to “unlock” oil, gas and other natural resources from Alaska.

There is not much we can do about Mr Trump’s threats (he does not believe that it is mankind that is changing our climate), but I suggest a good approach would be to support organisations that take actions to publicise and to limit climate degradation. They range from local religious organisations to Greenpeace (who advise the British government), to 350.org, to Carbon Brief (news briefings on global climate news via a daily email update: info2(at)carbonbrief.org ) And there are lots of things we can do to reduce our own use of fossil fuels.

Simple ways to make a difference:

• reduce your home heating to 18C – saves 10% of your energy use!
• wash clothes at a lower temperature
• cycle, carpool or walk if your journey is short – 40% of car energy is for trips less than 8 km
• switch off lights and appliances if you are not using them – many appliances use nearly as much energy on standby as they do when you are actually using them
• have your boiler serviced regularly – 10-15% of energy can be saved.
• Dry your washing on a clothes line – it’s free!

Science Museum Group: On-line Climate Talks

Tuesday 28 January 2025, 19.30 – 20.45. CHINA’s ROAD TO NET ZERO

Recommended for age 14+ Search online for Science Museum Group Climate Talks China’s Road to net zero and book on line

China is the planet’s number one emitter of greenhouse gases and biggest user of coal (50% of the total) but also the biggest producer of solar energy and biggest manufacturer of electric vehicles (EVs)

New Projects: BlewShed members are now busy making new benches for the expanded workspace where it will be possible to take on a wider variety of projects very soon.

Community Projects: Christmas Eve saw the unveiling and handing over of the new Santa’s Sleigh to Blewbury Village Society for them to return it to Santa. Both the ‘reindeer’ and Santa’s sleigh handling team were very happy with their lighter weight, slimmed down model with its much-improved handling. It is now back at the North Pole for storage until Santa needs it again later this year.

While the BlewShed elves were working on the sleigh, Dick Street noticed the oak gates to the old burial ground had fallen apart. Using some stout pieces of aged oak, Dick, with the help of member Patrick Keogh, repaired the rotted joints and damaged timber and rehung the gates in time for the new year.

Meetings: BlewShed enjoyed a fascinating presentation on amateur radio set up, training and operation by member Paul Sanders, assisted by fellow BlewShed ‘Ham’ radio operators. During the session the audience was able to hear Paul exchange messages with an amateur radio enthusiast in Pescara, Italy. Next meeting is Tuesday, 11th February, 7.30pm when we will discuss ‘The Future of BlewShed’. All welcome.

BlewShed products:  We are out of trugs just now but supply will continue very soon as production re-starts.

BlewShed opening times and membership: Tuesday, Friday and Saturday afternoons 1.30-4.00 pm and Thursday afternoons 2.00-4pm for electronics, non-dusty work and a chat.

BlewShed annual membership subs are £25 for individuals, or £37.50 for a family. This includes expert advice from members and use of a very well-equipped metal-working, woodworking and electronics workshop. Everyone is welcome to club nights on the second Tuesday of the month, 7.30pm at BlewShed. We look forward to seeing you.

Mike Wrottesley, BlewShed secretary https://blewshed.home.blog/news/

We have a few interesting events coming up that we hope you will come to.

Gardening with ‘the early birder’: creating a wildlife-friendly garden with Jon Mason
Monday April 7th, 8.00pm Vale Room, Blewbury Village Hall

Jon Mason has created a wildlife-friendly garden at his home at Little Orchard, at the foot of the Chiltern Hills. A geography teacher for 35 years, Jon is also a writer, naturalist and photographer. He’ll advise Blewbury gardeners (and would-be gardeners) about gardening with nature and providing the best possible conditions for our wildlife to flourish. For a preview of his work visit his website https://www.theearlybirder.co.uk/. Tickets on the door £8 including a drink of your choice.

Community Orchard at Ticker’s Folly.

This will look different this year. The Parish Council and Sustainable Blewbury have agreed to extend the Wildflower Meadow to include the Orchard, by changing the way the grass between the trees is mown. From now on, we will only mow the grass between the orchard trees once a year, in the autumn, at the same time as the wildflowers are mown. The hope is that orchids and other wildflowers will naturally spread into the orchard patch. We will continue to manage the trees with the aim to make them sturdy and accessible. It will take another 30 years or so, for the trees will reach maturity, hopefully surrounded by wildflowers, rather than mown grass.

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

December is always very busy at St Michael’s with all of the wonderful Advent to Christmas services. We managed to ring throughout the festive season and hopefully brought some cheer to you whether or not you were in church.

As usual, and despite the inclement weather, we rang out 2024 and greeted 2025 by ringing all eight bells around midnight and followed this with cracking open a bottle or two in the ringing chamber! It was so nice to learn that some villagers opened their doors especially to hear us, thank you.

Thank you to all of you who helped to fund the magnificent Christmas tree on the tower by utilising the bellringers’ local Blewbury and Upton Christmas card delivery service. In collaboration with our friendly and supportive Post Office, we intend to offer this service again for Christmas 2025.

We now return to our regular rhythm of Friday night practice and Sunday morning service ringing. As a new year begins, we extend a welcome to anyone who might want to join our happy band. Do come along or get in touch with us if you think this might be for you, or if you may have been a bell ringer earlier in life. We are currently teaching one new ringer and have room for one or two more.  Richard Loyd

CAN WE HELP YOU? OR CAN YOU HELP US?

At United Charities, we offer support to people of all ages living in Blewbury, the Astons and Upton, who may be struggling financially. If you need help with the weekly food shop, clothing, equipment, energy bills or other living costs, we can provide one off payments to help you, or someone you know in need.

There is a short application form to complete which can be picked up from the North Porch at St Michael’s Church, or requested by email to unitedcharities(at)outlook.com. We can help you fill in the form if needed. Please don’t be reluctant to ask for help, all applications are dealt with confidentially.

Last year we received a steady flow of requests for financial help from local people and as we enter 2025 there is, unfortunately, no sign of economic improvement on the horizon. This may mean we will not be able to help as many individuals as we would like, unless we can generate more funds. If anyone out there in the community feels able to help by donating any amount, small or large, we would be extremely grateful. You can do this through our Just Giving page  www.justgiving.com/ucab

Thank you very much in advance, and if you have any questions, please do get in touch with us by email unitedcharities(at)outlook.com.

United Charities of the Ancient Parish of Blewbury Registered Charity No: 203538

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.

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.

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

THE BLEWBURY BRIDGE CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY will be held on Sunday 15th December in the Village Hall, starting at 5pm. Military Bridge will be played – as is traditional (!). Participants are requested to bring along an item of food to share – a list has been circulated separately for you to indicate what you plan to bring. Liquid refreshments will be provided.

At the Annual General Meeting on 5th November Michael Allen retired as Chairman and was replaced by Matt Wright. All other Officers and Committee Members continue to serve.

£240 was raised, both on the night and by direct contributions, through the Simultaneous Pairs held in aid of Children in Need on 12th November. Congratulations to Malcolm Cochrane and Michael Allen who, on the provisional results, came 10th out of 1,363 pairs nationally on the Tuesday evening, with a score of 68.03%.

Blewbury will run Realbridge sessions on Thursdays 5th and 19th December, welcoming Wantage members, and, indeed, any visitors from other clubs. Wantage Bridge Club will host Blewbury members on December 12th. There will be no session on December 26th.

It is hoped to run Friday evening Social Bridge sessions at 7.30pm on December 6th and 13th, subject to sufficient participants, then re-start in the New Year.

Any enquiries, etc., to the Chairman, please – Matt Wright at matt.wright.2002@gmail.com