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Newsletter No 70 April 2001 Please select from the list below: Dear FriendsSomeone has just reminded me that it is the first day of Spring and yet as I look out, I see a cold sky and thick wet slush on the ground after yesterday's snowfall. The only people to be seen are the dog walkers in a continual procession past my window, and I am aware that out there not too very far distant, those who are concerned with animal husbandry are trying to look after their animals as best they can; out in this and all weathers trying to protect their sheep and help them with the lambing and yet, at a stroke their whole world could be turned upside down by the direction of the wind which might bring with it foot and mouth disease. The government is saying that the countryside is open and yet to me it feels closed. People come to the countryside for many reasons; they love the freedom and the fresh air. I love to be able to walk; on footpaths, by streams and rivers on mountain trails, wherever and then I love to be able to see the signs of new growth; different flowers, different little animals . I love to be able to find a picnic spot where I can quietly watch all that is going on, to smell the new growth and to listen to the new leaves. After a long walk I love to be able to go to a pub for a meal and to relax. A day in the countryside is one of the most refreshing opportunities that we have . This year we can't do it . This year there is a depression and a fear a scourge even, and here we are in the middle of Lent which means Spring. Where is God in all this? The answer to that great question is that I don't know, but what I do believe is that he is anguishing about it just as much as we are . I do not believe that he is punishing us but that he is sharing in our grief. We cannot blame God for the spread of the disease; surely the fact that we choose to transport live animals for such vast distances may have something to do with the problem, or maybe there are other reasons but they are not God's fault. But I do believe that there is an end to disease, just as I believe that Spring will come. I do believe that we will all learn something from the current situation and I do believe that gradually disease will be eradicated. In the meantime what can we do? We can pray about it, and we can pray for our farmers and for all those whose businesses are suffering at the moment. We can go for walks along out country lanes and we can still use the local hostelries for relaxation and refreshment. We can dig our gardens and look out for new growth there and we can feed the birds and notice and wonder at them, and gradually we will find that out spirits will be lifted and good will triumph over evil. Maybe by the time you read this letter Spring will really have sprung and there will be a lightness in our step and a solution to the problem. In the meantime this is our Lent. We are making our difficult Lenten journeys. Maybe this year the cross we have to bear is the cross of disease. Maybe our Good Friday is the image of the slaughter of so many animals . But Easter will come as surely as night follows day. That is the message. The days ahead may be very difficult, but there is hope, and there is a future, and even as I write I can hear the birds singing outside my window. Have a good Easter Jane Knowles.
Antidote to foot and mouth.
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| Marilyn Holifield | 3rd March | Ramsden |
| Alfred George Holifield | 12th March | Finstock |
| Ronald Webb | 22nd March | Leafield |
| Derek Pratley | 26th March | Leafield |
Following the analysis of the questionnaire, a meeting was held on march 9th with the representatives of the ORCC (Oxfordshire Rural Community Council), the representative of ViRSA (Village Retail Services Association) and the people chosen at the public meeting held in November: Roy Townsend, Holly Deans, Mary Castell, Kay Garton, Jean Vick and Jennifer Wates. As a result of the meeting a decision was taken to form an association to be called "The Three Villages Shop and Post Office Association". All options are now being explored to keep the shop and post office open in Finstock.
Mary Castell.
One of the privileges of being "vicar" is that people invite you in to their homes and tell you such interesting things. Enid Grant is one such and I include here an account of her pet dove, called Hush Wing:
"I found Hush Wing on my doorstep in December 1999. She was very small and frightened. She had been either attacked by a kestrel or had been shot by an air rifle. There was a hollow wound in her shoulder and loose feathers surrounded her. I took her in and she has lived with me ever since. In summer I put her cage outside. The doves in the garden hover about and sit on the cage, communicating with her. She has a bath and wing exercises every day. The damaged wing is still stiff but her feathers are growing again slowly. At night, when she is put to bed, she calls good night "coo-coo" 4 times, with one final "coo". She is a very intelligent little bird who takes a great interest in everything going on around her. I call her 'she'. There are 30-40 of her relations who visit the garden, they come for food with the pheasants".
JK
My neighbour and I felt it was time to get fit again after having our children. The obvious solution was aerobics or something similar. Unfortunately, neither of us warmed to that idea but resigned ourselves to the inevitability of it. That was when we saw the sign asking for new recruits to learn the ancient art of "campanology" or bell ringing. With nothing to loose we went along, not only was climbing the tower steps at Leafield (about 200) a work-out in itself, the actual bell ringing took an enormous amount of energy. Needless to say we are only at the noise making stage, in time we will be able to ring well. But we have taken out the stresses and tensions of the day on the bells and we have had a terrific work-out. So, come on folks, learn an ancient art, get fit and have a laugh all in one session! Please see the notice board or contact Eric Hudson, Tower Captain, Leafield (878592)
Trudie Long.
Tickets are now available for the Barn Dance on 21 April, 7.30 - 11.30pm in Leafield Village Hall. Price £7 each or £20 for a family ticket. Children under 10 go free. Licensed bar and food available. Call Jane Digby (878585). Recently nearly new sale raised £150 for the playground appeal. Thank you very much to everyone who came along on the day or helped in any way.
JD
The new "Taxi bus" service, run by Worth's, links all our parishes except Wilcote, and offers some exciting possibilities. Although the 14 seater minibus only runs its circular route in one direction (Charlbury Station - Ascott - Leafield - Ramsden (some services only) - Finstock - Charlbury Church Street - Charlbury Station) the fares are no greater on the longer legs, so Ascott, Leafield and Ramsden are all a £1 single fare from Charlbury which ever way you travel. Finstock is just 75p, which is cheaper than using the no 69 Witney - Charlbury bus. Leafield benefits most, having no daily buses until now. Look out soon for through ticketing for journeys to Woodstock and Oxford on the Worth's Charlbury - Oxford service which should be very good value compared to the train, though there are some long waits in Charlbury especially on the return trip (the Saturday timings work much better). There is no Sunday service. Timetables have been delivered to the door, or phone Worth's on 01608 677322 for more details.
Jon Carpenter
Owing to lack of support at Finstock High Street Stop, from 8 May there will be just one longer stop in Finstock: outside the school from 9.55 - 10.30. The new time at Ramsden War Memorial from 8 May will be 9.30 - 9.45
ST
Monday 2 April 8pm, 24 Witney Lane, Leafield
Wednesday 11 April 8pm Leafield Church. Everyone most welcome.
Sunday 29 April 6pm at Leafield. For the young and young at heart - musicians bring your instruments.
5 April Past pupils, parents and friends of Finstock School are invited to a farewell evening for John Coombes at 7pm in the School Hall.
Saturday 7 April 10am - 12 noon at Ramsden Memorial Hall. If you need transport please let Jane Knowles know (868687)
Saturday 21 April 7.30 - 11.30, Leafield Village Hall: licensed bar, food available, tickets £7, family ticket £20, children under 10 free. Ring Jane Digby on 878585 for details or to book.
Alternate Tuesdays:
| April 10,24 | High Street | 9.30 - 9.45 |
| Hill Crescent | 9.50 - 10.00 | |
| May 8, 22 - new timetable |
Outside School | 9.55 - 10.30 |
Alternate Tuesdays:
| April 10,24 | War Memorial | 10.10 - 10.30 |
| May 8, 22 - new timetable |
9.30 - 9.45 |
Alternate Fridays
| The Green | 10.20 - 10.50 | |
Saturday 19 may Start nurturing your plants now and then you will be able to donate some on the day!
Saturday June 30, village green Leafield at 2pm. Volunteers needed to help with organisation. Please contact Nicky Bentley 878000 or Jane Digby 878585
Look out for CAR BOOT SALE, TEDDY BEARS PICNIC and other fundraisers later in the year
Jon Carpenter talks to Liz Davies, head teacher at Leafield School
Liz Davies with some of her pupils
In September 1999 Liz Davies came from a tiny two-teacher school in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons to be head of Leafield School. She was one of four new teaching staff that year, not to mention a new bursar and a new secretary. By a strange coincidence she found that the new priest-in-charge at Leafield (Jane Knowles) was fresh from a post in Wokingham, where she knew Lizıs parents. Small world!
She applied for headships at Stonesfield and Leafield, but knew this was the right school the minute she walked in the door: 'it had a really warm atmosphere.ı A new head brings new aspirations to a school, and for Liz it meant developing mutual respect among the children. In a small school children must be able to relate to, and support, children in different age groups. Children should be caring for each other. As she puts it, you only get high standards of behaviour and achievement by expecting them. Which she does. At Christmas the children are encouraged to think of others less fortunate than themselves, and last year they packed boxes of presents to go to Eastern Europe as part of the Children in Distress campaign.
A pianist herself, Liz also wants to develop the musical side of things. To the schoolıs good fortune, another teacher, Mr Staines, is keen on drama and music too. The school has put on two shows in the church at Christmas, with every single child taking part - whether miming, singing, dancing or playing instruments. Jane is in there helping with the choir (musical vicar too), and the children have sung in the church at weddings. The church is the chief focus for interaction between school and village. Moreover, there is a lot of scope for parents and other members of the community to get involved in the school: one parent alone runs a recorder group, a netball club, and helps out in class. Would that more would do the same...... (Offers on 878273, please!)
Lizıs other enthusiasms are cricket (sheıs a qualified coach), sport (running and diving), art and photography. Sheıs a keen hill walker (last year it was Austria). She raises money for a cancer charity in the annual Race for Life, a nationwide all-women sponsored running event; other local mums take part too. She is obviously one for challenges: even Leafieldıs exposed position as a kind of landing ground for gales from Dartmoor evidently appeals to her!
Changes have been made in the school. Itıs been redecorated, and theyıre proud of the new computer suite. But they are missing a hall: the children have to trek to the village hall for PE. The school wasnıt designed to take so many classes, and thereıs no room to build one on. Liz and Jane are putting their heads together to see if use could be made of part of the church for communal school purposes. Thatıs the next challenge.
If you are a newcomer to the benefice and would like to make contact with the various churches or organisations, if you have questions regarding baptisms, weddings, funerals, etc. or if you have any prayer requests, please contact the Revd Jane Knowles on 01993 868687.
