Vol 31 No 9 September 2020 - Woodcote Parish Council
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FACE MASKS FOR ALL… Vol 31 No 9 September 2020 Well the sun’s been shining; we’re going out more. Life is a bit better. Admittedly we can’t understand what people are saying as we’re all wearing face masks and standing a safe distance apart. We are all wearing face masks, aren’t we?... Slowly life is getting back to normal. Pubs are busy and the village green is buzzing with activity again. This shot of a handsome red kite (donning a rather special face mask) was taken by our local photographer, Simon Booker, of course. It is fair to say that during lockdown, his stunning images of local wildlife and nature have been hugely uplifting to many residents of Woodcote. If you’ve missed them, visit his website: www.stokerpix.com where you can enjoy the images, buy prints or choose a free screensaver for your phone! Way Ahead! A fantastic lockdown Sunrise over Bullocks farm South Stoke looking up Woodcote road. © Simon Booker
Transcript of Vol 31 No 9 September 2020 - Woodcote Parish Council
FACE MASKS FOR ALL…
Vol 31 No 9
September 2020
Well the sun’s been shining; we’re going out more. Life is a bit
better. Admittedly we can’t understand what people are saying as we’re all wearing face masks and standing a safe
distance apart. We are all wearing face masks, aren’t we?...
Slowly life is getting back to normal. Pubs are busy and the
village green is buzzing with activity again.
This shot of a handsome red kite (donning a rather special
face mask) was taken by our local photographer, Simon Booker, of course. It is fair to say that during lockdown, his
stunning images of local wildlife and nature have been hugely
uplifting to many residents of Woodcote. If you’ve missed
them, visit his website: www.stokerpix.com where you can
enjoy the images, buy prints or choose a free screensaver for
your phone!
Way Ahead! A fantastic lockdown Sunrise over Bullocks farm South Stoke looking up Woodcote road. © Simon Booker
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COMMENT FROM THE VICARAGE
“Life keeps throwing me stones… And I keep finding
the diamonds!”
Isn’t that a great quote?! I can’t recall where I first
came across it but I was reminded of it the other day
when I was thinking about how so many of us have
had to change our plans this year. We might have
had to cancel a holiday or miss out on a much-
anticipated concert or show. As I write, our young
people are receiving exam results without having sat
the exams, and there is much anxiety about how that
will affect their choices in the autumn and beyond.
You don’t need me to tell you about the scale of
change and uncertainty we have all been dealing
with in these last few months and yet here we all are!
We are coping, adapting, adjusting and making the
best of things as far as possible. As I chat with people on the phone or online, I hear countless stories of
courage, faith and hope overcoming all the tough
things that life throws at us. It is one of the great
privileges of my occupation to be with people as they
journey through a dark place to find bright hope on
the other side. I’ve seen it time and time again; a
tribute to the human spirit and the goodness that
prevails at the heart of our experiences.
It’s not always as easy as I might be making it sound
though. Sometimes the dark times in our lives are
quite overwhelming and we can lose sight of the way
forward. Sometimes we just don’t feel strong enough
to keep going, to make the tough decisions or to face the deepest fear. Sometimes it is all just too much.
Those are the times that we need help. Help can
come in many different forms. Sometimes it might be
medical help that we need, or moral support or
physical company and a listening ear. Sometimes we
need someone else to come along and take charge for
a while. Sometimes the hardest thing is to recognise
that this where we are; we must ask for and accept
help.
One casualty of the change of plans due to the
ongoing pandemic was my daughter’s holiday.
Instead of jetting off to somewhere hot and sunny,
they headed off to Dorset on a camping trip. Our
eldest granddaughter came back full of stories of adventures on the beaches and at the campsite.
They’d clearly had the best of times despite some
dodgy weather and a lack of home comforts. ‘Do you
know Nanny,’ she told me, ‘we walked along the
beach one rainy day and I found lots of stones.
Daddy took them and split them open for me and
inside we found jewels!’
She was enchanted by the beauty of the crystals and
fossils that are to be found on a rainy British beach,
but she needed the strong, protective arm of her
father to reveal the diamonds amongst the stones,
the treasure that lay all around hidden in the
ordinary.
With all blessings and prayers for your safekeeping,
Linda
Revd. Linda Smith, Tel. 01491 680979
Email: [email protected]
St. Leonard’s is online!
At the time of writing the church remains closed to
the public, however we are offering online services
every Sunday at 10 am.
We also offer Night Prayer every Wednesday at
8.30pm. Please email me if you would like details of how to join a service.
We use the Zoom app for our services, which is free
for you to use. If you are not on the internet, it is
possible to phone into a service. We are happy to
advise you on how to access this.
Reopening the Church
The PCC and the Churchwardens are working
towards opening the church for worship and other
services in the near future. Because we have a small
building with limited access and resources, we are
not able to do this as quickly as some of the bigger
churches. However, we hope to be able to back in church from Sunday 6th September for a weekly
short service of Holy Communion. We will be
observing all current government guidance with
physical distancing measures in place. The number
of people able to attend a service is limited to 18 and
face masks must be worn at all times. We also hope
to be able to make the church available for personal
prayer and I will be able to give more information
about this once the weekly services have resumed.
We will be continuing with the online services
alongside the church services for the foreseeable
future.
I will publicise final details of the services on
Wonderful Woodcote and on our own St. Leonard’s
Facebook page. We are also part of the Langtree Team website; www.langtreechurches.org where you
can find further information. Please feel free to email
me if you need any specific advice on the use of the
church, and don’t forget that our beautiful
churchyard is open all the time, providing a perfect
spot for some rest and contemplation.
LOCAL GUARDIAN NEEDED
Woodcote’s Defibrillator, on the wall of the Village Hall, needs two people, known to the South-Central
Ambulance Service (SCAS) as Guardians, who can be
contacted if the device is used or if there are any
queries that may have arisen regarding it. In
addition, the Guardians are responsible for ensuring
that the Defibrillator remains ‘Response Ready’, ie:
that it would work if needed.
The Defibrillator has been recently serviced and only
needs a quick check every month, which I do. In
addition, in the four years since the device was
installed, there has never been a need to use it and
the SCAS has never had to contact the Guardian.
The role of Guardian, is therefore, far from onerous.
That said, we only have one, me, and SCAS would like there to be a second so if anyone would like to
help with this, then please get in touch with me on
01491 681670 or by email at
Geoff Botting
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A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Apparently, September is the
new January. It’s the time when kids go back to school with
brand new school bags and
shiny new shoes. Parents across
the country breathe a collective
sigh of relief. Autumn officially
starts. A new rhythm begins.
Never have we wanted to embrace this new phase
more than now, as we prepare for our children to
finally return to school, despite the conflicting
opinions and undercurrent of unease.
To a degree, life must go on and so must the
Woodcote Correspondent! Therefore we continue to
provide you with the usual eclectic mix: local walks,
anecdotes, book reviews, advice on sleeping better
and yes, we even have a cricket update!
Life is gradually opening up again but – don’t forget
to wear your face masks!
Until next month. Yvette
PUBLISHER INFORMATION Editor: Yvette Decmar [via email]
Articles for inclusion: to the editor by email to:
[email protected], or letters may be handed in at
the library. To be received by the 12th of the
preceding month.
Advertisers: To place an advertisement, please
email [email protected] for details of prices and
how to produce your ad in our house style. The
deadline for payment and your finished
advertisement is the 12th of the preceding month.
Small Ads and Announcements: £5 for three lines.
Photographs: Photos should be unedited and as high a resolution as possible (at least 500kB). Please
email them as attachments to [email protected]
Advertising: Claire Jones 07789 190463
Treasurer: Helen Baker 01491 682240
Production: Dan Oldfield 01491 681962
Distribution: Trevor Back 01491 680617
Printer: C Z Services 07860 630865
Cover Design: Rob Spencer
The Woodcote Correspondent is on the Village
website at www.woodcote-online.co.uk/facilities.
Note: The Woodcote Correspondent is edited,
produced and distributed by volunteers.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information printed in this paper, the Editor and Committee cannot accept responsibility for the contents of advertisements or any errors that may occur. Opinions expressed are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or Committee.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
It is with great sadness that we wish to report that
Jim Middleton passed away on the 22nd July, aged 73, after a short illness. He was surrounded by his
family in Bognor Regis. Jim loved Woodcote and grew
up with many friends and his family would like them
to know. His funeral took place on 13 August 2020.
Rhona Smith nee Middleton (Jim’s sister)
VILLAGE GREEN
The last few weeks have been busy ones on the
Green. The re-opening of the children’s play area has seen play-starved kids and their parents flock to the
park in large numbers and it’s wonderful to see. We
have displayed all the recommended Covid signs and
people seem to be acting sensibly within the
regulations. I’m afraid that the hot weather has
taken its toll on some of the wet pour and we hope to
get the worst areas repaired shortly. Please help by
not picking at the cracked areas.
Cricket has also made a return and is being very well
supported by the community. Quite a bit of work has
been carried out during and since the lockdown. The
new paving around the Youth Shelter has tidied up
what had become quite an unsightly area. The
power-washing in the play area was featured in last month’s edition, but thanks are due to John
Worsfold and Robojet for supplying the equipment,
not to mention John’s expertise. The Parish Council
have also played their part in carrying out some vital
work.
Most people will have heard about invasions of
travellers on open spaces in the locality, including
Goring Recreation Ground. The Parish Council has
acted swiftly to carry out deterrent measures to keep
vehicles off the Green and Folly Field. The ditch
along Reading Road has been deepened and new
gateposts installed for the gate. At the Close end of
the Green a new fence has been installed and the gates have been capped to stop them being lifted off.
On Folly Field a new gate has been installed. On
Goring Road new trees will be planted which will
make access more difficult as well as improving the
Green environmentally. Unfortunately, there is a
downside to all this good news. On the evening of
Thursday 6th August, four youths made a concerted
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5
effort to seriously damage the practice goal and
actually managed to tip it over after trying to bend
the crossbar by jumping up and down on it.
Fortunately, they were disturbed and took off. I am
astonished that young people should want to damage
one of the prime play assets. Everyone knows how
much pleasure our youngsters get out of this goal, so
why would they want to try and put it out of use? They did succeed in damaging one of the wheels but
fortunately that can be fixed without taking the goal
out of service. The Green has been an enormous
benefit to the whole community during lockdown, a
recreation ground in every sense of the word and
people have realised how lucky we are to have it. It
has been great to see families come out for picnics
and to spend whole days there. Many people have
used the Green to take exercise, jogging, walking and
fitness routines. Everyone can be proud of our
Village Green and everyone can help to keep it
looking at its best as it has done throughout this
summer.
SP
WOODCOTE PARISH NEWS
Parish Office is closed during the current
Government restrictions. You can contact the Clerk
by email [email protected] or
telephone 01492 681861.
Parish Council Meetings are being held virtually on
Zoom. Members of the public can join; the Zoom link is available at the top of the Agenda, which are on
the website or notice boards, or contact the Parish
Clerk.
PLANNING APPLICATIONS GRANTED BY SODC
P20/S1073/HH Application proposal, including any
amendments: Garage conversion and side carport
extension (to replace the existing). Site Location:
Kelowna Goring Road Woodcote RG8 0QE.
P20/S1033/HH Application proposal, including any
amendments: Erection of a log shed (retrospective).
Site Location 73 Whitehouse Road Woodcote RG8
0SA.
P20/S1384/FUL Application proposal, including any
amendments: Proposed tennis court (additional supporting ecological and arboricultural information
received 9th June, 19th June and 9th July 2020)
Site Location: Eastfield House Pot Kiln Lane Goring
Heath RG8 7SR
PLANNING APPLICATIONS REFUSED BY SODC
P19/S4457/FUL
Application proposal, including any amendments:
Demolition of an existing dwelling and erection of 2
pairs of semi-detached dwellings (as amended to adjust the size and positioning of the dwellings).
Site Location: The Hollies Goring Road Woodcote
RG8 0QE
Just a reminder…
As more people enjoy our beautiful countryside, you
may be aware of reports of litter and fly tipping; farm
animals being chased by loose dogs and fires, caused
by campfires and BBQs, damaging the landscape.
CPRE Oxfordshire would encourage everyone to
follow the Countryside Code when getting outdoors:
Respect other people
• Consider the local community and other people
enjoying the outdoors
• Park carefully so access to gateways and
driveways is clear
• Leave gates and property as you find them
• Follow paths but give way to others where it’s
narrow
Protect the natural environment
• Leave no trace of your visit; take all your litter
home
• Don’t have BBQs or fires
• Keep dogs under effective control
• Dog poo - bag it and bin it
Enjoy the outdoors
• Plan ahead, check what facilities are open, be
prepared
• Follow advice and local signs and obey social
distancing measures
Visit the NFU website to read the advice in full,
including a ‘Hikers Guide’ to learn more about the
landscape. Visit gov.uk to find out more about the
Countryside Code.
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Located in the Village Hall overlooking the
Village Green, we offer a relaxed and happy
enviroment for playful and creative learning
for children from 18 months to 5 years.
OFSTED RATING ‘GOOD’ JULY 2016
As well as a varied curriculum of activities,
children will also benefit from:
- Trips to our own allotment & around the village
- Large indoor and outdoor play area
- Flexible sessions
- Fresh homecooked meals prepared on the premises
- Easter & Summer Holiday Club
www.woodcotepreschool.co.uk 01491 682300
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WOODCOTE FETE UPDATE
The Show Will Go OnLINE
It is with heavy hearts that we have decided to cancel
the 2020 Fete BUT all is not lost. We were very
much hoping that the Covid situation might have
improved, to allow for a community event, but things
are still uncertain and current government guidelines
don't allow for large gatherings. As a committee we
have to keep everyone safe. We hope you all
understand.
However, we can still do something online! The
following five competitions will still go ahead. Please email all entries to [email protected] by
Thursday 10th September at the latest.
Sunflower Competition — Tallest Sunflower
Submit: Photos and measurements (floor to flower
top)
Garden Wildlife Competition — Wildlife
friendly garden (e.g. ponds, insect houses, etc.)
Submit: A photo collage to capture your wildlife
friendly garden.
Adult Writing
AW1
Submit a Limerick — 5 lines, asfollows:
Continue with the following:
“Lockdown in Woodcote was _______”
AW2
Submit a Poem entitled: ‘Memories of Lockdown’
Email to the Fete committee:
Photography
PH4
Amusing with a caption
Submit a photo with accompanying caption (to be
judged on humorous content)
Entries will be posted online on our Fete Facebook
page. We hope to include an element of community
voting so please watch this space!
We would also like to create a gallery on our Fete
Facebook page where you can post pictures of your
garden produce, baking, handicrafts or other items
relating to the competition classes. We would
especially like to see the children's efforts. These will
not be judged but will give you all an opportunity to
share what you have been up to in the lead up to the
Fete and will provide a memory of our Lockdown
Fete! For those not on Facebook, we are also hoping
to create a webpage linked to the Parish Council
Website and to share the highlights in the October
edition of the Correspondent.
The committee are very much looking forward to
planning the Fete for 2021 and we will do our very
best to make it one to remember for our wonderful
community. If you want to be involved please do get
in touch.
WOODCOTE CRICKET CLUB
Well, I did say it! Cricket is back and the pubs are
open! Three Cheers! The benefits of lockdown seem
all too apparent – local people, starved of
entertainment have flocked to our home matches. It’s
lovely to see so many people, all socially distanced,
and whole family ‘bubbles’. Attendances at away
matches by our travelling supporters seem to have almost doubled too. And, guess what? We’re getting
better attendances at cricket than they’re getting for
Test matches. Who would have believed that?
Since we have been allowed to resume cricket, we
have taken every possible opportunity to get a game
on and results have been encouraging. We began our
season with a comfortable win over Cholsey on July
15th. Cholsey only managed 88 in their innings and
we won the match by 8 wickets. On 18th July we
defeated a Purley XI by 76 runs. Ryan Lennard was
the hero that day with an unbeaten 100 and Ryan
Van Heerden scored a half-century as we scored 243
for 6. Purley were all out for 167, with James Worsfold taking 4 wickets.
On Wednesday 22nd July we played our first away
game at Dorchester-on-Thames and suffered our first
defeat by 7 wickets. We were all out for 88 and
Dorchester made short work of winning the match.
Then, on Sunday 26th July we took-on a youthful
Yateley XI on the Green and won by 79 runs. We
scored 206 with Stefan Gordon top-scoring with 35
and Yateley replied with 127 all out. James Worsfold
again took the bowling honours with 3 for 15.
Competitive cricket began on Saturday 1st August
when, unfortunately, we lost another away match in
the Berkshire League August Cup. We were bowled
out for 143 by Twyford with Jonny Clark hitting a very good 70. We bowled very well to remove eight
batsmen before Twyford edged over the line to win by
two wickets. Once again, that man Worsfold was in
the wickets, taking 4 for 26, and Connor Mattimore
also bowled well to take 2 for 24.
On Wednesday 5th August we got our first away win
against our friendly rivals at Moreton. We scored 168
for 8 in our twenty overs and bowled out Moreton for
131. Jonny Clark was in the runs again as he hit 50,
while the bowling honours went to James Worsfold (2
for 15), Rakesh Patel (2 for 30) and Connor
Mattimore (2 for 35).
With the shortest season in living memory, the
emphasis is very much on enjoying cricket and all the players are extremely grateful for the wonderful
support they are receiving from you, the people of
Woodcote.
SP
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IT’S BOOK REVIEW TIME!
Here are two more books for you, reviewed by Ali and
Helen from the Wallingford bookshop:
For children:
‘Dragon Mountain’ by Katie and Kevin Tsang
From the co-authors of the
popular Sam Wu series comes
Dragon Mountain, the first
book in the Dragon’s Realm
trilogy. 12-year-old Billy Chan
just wants to spend his
summer surfing at the beach,
so is at first disappointed
when his parents decide to
send him to summer camp in
China to improve his Cantonese. But within days of
arriving, along with friends
Dylan, Charlotte and Ling-Fei,
Billy is racing to save the world from evil, with the
help of some rather awesome dragons (and perhaps
even the odd super-power…) A wonderful adventure
series rooted in Chinese mythology for anyone who
has ever dreamed of owning a dragon.
For adults:
‘The Miseducation of Evie Epworth’ by Matson Taylor
If you’re looking for a light,
laugh out loud funny and
uplifting read (and in these times who isn’t?) then look no
further as Evie Epworth is your
girl! Matson Taylor’s debut
novel is a delightful coming of
age story set in Yorkshire in
1962. 16-year old Evie has
finished her ‘O’ Levels and is
pondering her future. The
prospect of the first step
towards university, a life in the
big city (Leeds or London - no
preference) and a glittering career all beckon, but
Evie’s soon-to-be stepmother Christine has other, very different and far less glamorous, plans for her.
Can Evie thwart Christine, reconnect her dear
neighbours and save her father’s farm in the space of
a few months?
One of our favourite reads last year was Brian
Bilston’s ‘Diary of a Somebody’ and ‘The
Miseducation of Evie Epworth’ made us laugh out
loud in the same way - it’s sure to be one of our top
recommendations for 2020! We also have a small
number of signed copies so be quick!
Call us on 01491 834383 or email
[email protected] to place an order.
We are still happy to post books to you if you’re
uncomfortable about visiting shops just at the moment. Happy reading!
TEL. 01491 680 389 / 07956 966 089
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ALL OUR YESTERDAYS
September 2015
The lead article was an obituary of Christopher Quinton, written by his friend, Sam Peates. It was
fitting that as long-time Editor of the Correspondent,
this tribute to Christopher should have been given
pride of place. Of course, Christopher was also our
District Councillor and had served on the Parish
Council as well.
Langtree School was celebrating the phenomenal
success of their students in the GCSE exams. 80% of
the Year 11 students gained five or more A* - C grades.
The Windmill Sale this month would be the 100th
organised by Barbara Penniall and her team.
Woodcote Cricket Club celebrated winning the
Downs Midweek League with a victory over their nearest rivals, Woodhay. They won the match by ten
wickets with Will Macdonald 109 not out and Ryan
Lennard 63 not out.
The Youth Club was due to be re-launched with an
Open Evening on September 8th.
The Woodcote Pre-School will be in its 50th year
when it re-opens this month.
Jenny Welham took over from Vanessa Lynch as
Village Hall Manager.
Barbara Penniall wrote an intriguing article about
swan-upping.
There was some concern expressed about the
possible closure of some waste disposal facilities in
Oxfordshire. Thankfully, Oakley Wood remains open.
September 2010
The lead article, ‘Drunken Bottom’, by John Sandford
explained the origins of this odd name found on the
Ordnance Survey maps for a dry valley near Ipsden. Apparently ‘bottoms’ were valleys and the term
‘drunken’ refers to the fact that at one time this
valley was very wet. His article also explained why so
many local streams have literally, gone underground.
There was a heart-rending letter about ‘Barty’ the
dog whose owners felt forced, by a combination of
factors, to have him put down, though their love for
him was never in doubt. The author’s moral to this
sad tale was, ‘Please think before you complain about
things that irritate you. We all need to live together, to make sure that life is as good as it can be.’
Dave Broadbent, Treasurer of the Village Green
Committee, wrote a letter outlining the damage being
done to the new play equipment and asking people to
be vigilant and report vandalism. Thankfully, this
seems to be much less of a problem now than it was
back then, but vigilance is still the key word.
The Oratory School had won an award from the Good
Schools Guide for achieving the best ‘A’ level results
for boys in Art and Design.
St Leonard’s Church raised nearly £800 with a
Readathon event organised by Ann Larden.
Steve Henderson hit a magnificent century in deepest Gloucestershire as Woodcote, on their Cotswolds
tour, chased down a massive 302 Apperley total to
win a truly momentous match by four wickets.
This month’s profile was of Vicky Jordan, who was
retiring from the Library after 25 years. In that time,
she saw and presided over many changes, including
the transformation of the School Library into the
community library we enjoy today. Of course, we all
know that since her retirement Vicky has continued to devote many voluntary hours to the Library and
was very active in the campaign to save our Library
when it was under threat. We understand that Vicky
has recently been in hospital and we wish her well
for a full and speedy recovery.
September 2005
The lead article was more an advert than an article,
raising awareness of the proposed ‘Parish Plan’ and
posing the question, ‘What is the main issue for you?’
A follow-up article was to be published in October.
Remember the Green boxes which preceded the
green wheelie bins. This was a first attempt to get
people used to recycling. The Editor, Chris Quinton,
was at the forefront using his business premises,
Halarose, as a collection point for the boxes.
Our resident raconteur, David Sutton, wrote ‘A
Modern Fairy Tale’, a very well observed piece about
the malignant influence of Ofsted on Adult
Education. It’s just as true today!
The Goring, Woodcote & District Lions had organised
a day trip to Rushall Farm for twelve children from
Chernobyl, who were on a month’s visit in the
Reading area. Retiring Lions President, Charles
Slater presented a cheque for £1500 to the RNLI.
The ‘Spotlight’ article featured the Parish Clerk,
Martyn Jordan, who had been a high-flier in IT, but
stepped back from the business world after suffering
a brain-haemorrhage.
‘P.L.A.Y.’ ‘Play, Leisure and Adventure for the Young’
was a group of Woodcote parents who set themselves
the task of raising funds for the renewal of play
equipment on the Green and Folly Field. We have
this group to thank for our wonderful children’s play area. This was their first article in the Correspondent
as they set about their daunting task.
Woodcote still had a wide range of Adult Learning
courses available. What a pity that this is no longer
the case. Langtree was a vibrant hub for evening
classes for very many years. Alas, government cuts
and red-tape………
A.R. Chive.
10 11
Cricket is back and the pub is open
Family groups enjoying the cricket
Rainbow over Moreton Cricket Ground
Ryan Lennard centurion against
Purley
New fence at the Close end of the Green New Gate on Folly Field
Hands up if you like the sunflowers at the Woodcote allotment (local resident, Saskia, certainly does)
New Paving at Youth Shelter
Cleaning the play areaDeepened ditch adjacent to reading Road
10 11
Cricket is back and the pub is open
Family groups enjoying the cricket
Rainbow over Moreton Cricket Ground
Ryan Lennard centurion against
Purley
New fence at the Close end of the Green New Gate on Folly Field
Hands up if you like the sunflowers at the Woodcote allotment (local resident, Saskia, certainly does)
New Paving at Youth Shelter
Cleaning the play areaDeepened ditch adjacent to reading Road
12
ON LIFE, DEATH AND CHILDREN
Do parents still feel a duty to teach their children the
facts of life? Probably not, in this Internet age, though an instruction simply to Google ‘sex’ might
not be the wisest move.
But back in the seventies and eighties, when my
children were growing up, one still felt it was part of
a parent’s role. Unfortunately, I was just not very
good at it.
For a start, as so often happens, the need to
acquaint them with the facts of life was long
preceded by the need to acquaint them with the facts
of death. My father died when my eldest two sons
were four and three, and it fell to me to break the
news to them one night while they were in the bath.
It was their first encounter with death. I explained to
them that it was very sad, but that we all had to die and when you were very old and not well etc. etc. The
four-year-old took it quite philosophically: ‘When you
are very old, yes’, and went on playing with his
rubber duck, which on the whole I think is the best
approach to these things. The three-year-old, who
was of a very different character, took the news in
quite another way and was what I can only describe
as furious, and as with most things in the house it
seemed to be my fault. You could hear the cogs in his
brain whirring. You mean you brought me into this
world knowing full well that I was going to die? Talk
about irresponsible parenting! Eventually his wrath
erupted in a great howl. ‘YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME NOT TO BE BORN!’.
Fast forward some nine years and the eldest was
starting to show an interest in girls. I suspected that
he already knew a good deal more about the facts of
life than I did at his age, and quite possibly more
than I still did at my age, but just in case, one day
over breakfast I started to give him the basic
anatomical facts. He held up a hand to stop me.
‘Please’, he said, ‘you’re putting me off my toast’.
And that was the last time I tried to be a responsible
parent. Let them Google ‘facts of life’, I say. Though
possibly not while eating toast.
David Sutton
R.W.Butler Fencing Contractor
We can supply and install all types of
domestic and agricultural fencing
and gates.
Please call for a free quotation.
01491 680030 or 07974794222
Also Mini digger and driver hire
INSURANCE APPROVED
DOOR & WINDOW LOCKS
SUPPLIED & FITTED (BS3621)
DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL PREMISES
DIGITAL LOCKS GRILLES BARS
ALL AREAS COVERED CALL OUT SERVICE
Crestwell House, Beech Lane
WOODCOTE, READING
BONNER LOCKSMITHS
FULL MEMBER
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LOCKSMITH
INSTITUTE
01491 680216
Chiltern Domestic Appliances
Est 1985
Repairs, Servicing and Sales
Washing Machines, Tumble Dryers, Dishwashers,
Cookers
* Low call-out fee *Prompt Attention
Tel: 01491 638146
13
WOODCOTE WALKS: PART 6
The Sun, Whitchurch Hill
Distance. 5¼ miles. Easy apart from some muddy
sections. Allow 2 hours plus pub time
OK, you have done very well so far and deserve a
little treat. Your reward is to do a walk with a pub
half way. This would make a very pleasant Sunday
lunchtime walk with an opportunity for refreshment
half way.
Start at the Village Hall walk along Goring Road
Turn left into Whitehouse Road and walk its full
length passing Greenmoor and the Woodcote Ponds.
Turn right into Potkiln Lane and at the right-hand
bend, turn left into Eastfield Lane.
Walk the full length of Eastfield Lane and cross the
road at Pennyroyal to follow the footpath signs to
Whitchurch Hill ‘1’ and Coldharbour ‘¾’.
Follow the bridle way left (keeping the industrial
buildings on your left) then turn right as the bridleway passes through woodland. Pass some
derelict farm carts spread along the path and emerge
from the woods on a clearly defined path. You may
see to the right of this path several fields with grazing
alpacas. When you reach the road turn left and ‘The
Sun’ pub is about 400 yards down on the left.
On leaving the Sun turn right and retrace your steps.
After approx. 50 yards turn left down a footpath just
before a white bungalow. Go straight ahead through
a small housing development.
On reaching a road, turn right. See an old well on the
right-hand side, donated by Samuel Weare Gardiner,
who lived at Coombe Lodge, Whitchurch and was
High Sheriff of Oxfordshire in 1849.
Continue along the road and turn right into Bridle
Road. At the end of Bridle Road turn left on the road
and continue until you reach the crossroads.
Go straight over towards Coombe End and
Coldharbour and walk along the road until, after 150
metres, just before a house on the right, you come to
a footpath on the same side.
Take this clear
diagonal path
across two fields
and emerge on a
road
(Coldharbour).
Turn right on the road and then fork
left at the
‘Bridleway’ sign.
Walk along the
tarmac bridleway
to the end and
then follow the
blue arrow to the
right down quite a
steep muddy path.
When you reach
the broad track at
the bottom go straight over and follow the yellow arrow up the hill on a narrow path. This path leads
to a path across a field to Crays Pond.
When you reach the road, go straight across and, in
about 50 metres, turn right on an unmarked path. In
another 50 metres, go through the gate and follow
the yellow arrow across a large field emerging
opposite Swains Hill Bungalow just beyond the
crossroads. Note in the large field, two hollows
surrounded by trees. These hollows are quite deep
and symmetrical in shape. These are old chalk pits.
Cross the road and turn left and then right at the
crossroads into Shirvells Hill.
When you come to a footpath on the left, pass
through the gate and walk along the edge of two fields until you come to a gate into the woods.
Follow the footpath through the woods behind the
large modern houses in Potkiln Lane.
Turn left on the footpath with green metal fencing
which emerges at the top of the Bridle Path.
Turn right and then left into Whitehouse Road and
retrace your steps to the Village Hall.
Stilehopper
14
CABIN PRE-SCHOOL NEWS
There is an exciting and different year awaiting us at
the Cabin. We have new routines and innovative
ways of dealing with new guidance which I am sure
will enhance the way we work. This is all to promote
good hygiene and safe working practices and aimed
at minimising any risks to the children and staff.
We met with several families at the end of the term
and during the summer break to show them around
and allow parents access.
I am very excited to welcome: Finlay, Noah, Matthew,
Theo, Rufus, Frank and Alex. I am sure the team, committee and myself will all give you and your
families a very warm Cabin welcome.
Our first term back will be spent getting to know
everyone and I thought the best topic to do this
would be to have the theme ‘All about me’.
I am very aware that many children might feel a bit
different this term so we plan to take separation very
slowly and at each individual child`s time. Some I
expect will come running in as if nothing has
changed; some might be a bit reluctant - and those
that we thought would be happy might decide they
are not. I am sure many parents will be very happy to
see them back in a good routine, in a very secure
environment, playing alongside their peers and having fun whilst learning.
Our outside area has been extended so we have loads
of space to run, cycle, scoot, climb and build in. We
will sing, read and use our imagination as much as
possible outdoors, and there is an undercover area
we can shelter in should we need to, which always
makes a fun den to hide in.
We do have a few sessions free, although we have
reduced our daily numbers to comply with Covid
guidelines, so if you are interested to register your
child now or later in the term please get in touch as
soon as possible.
We are not allowed to have visitors during our
working day but are happy to meet at the end of the day with an appointment. Please do get in touch or
just call to talk through your requirements. Email us
on [email protected] or call us on 01491
682465.
STAY SAFE ONLINE
I have heard from a couple of people in the village
over the last couple of weeks who have been targeted
by scammers pretending to be from their internet provider and calling to fix an issue.
They typically ask you to install some software onto
your PC that allows them to have full access and
take control. They then will ask you to complete a
form requesting card payment details or to transfer
R Hazell Recycling Waste
Licensed Waste Carrier – CB/QP3698MJ
Waste Management Licence No. WML86315
4yd skip - £145 + VAT
6yd skip - £200 + VAT
8yd skip - £235 + VAT
12yd skip - £310 + VAT
Roll On/Roll Off Skips Also Available
Ring 01491 699101
REGISTERED OSTEOPATH
KAREN L.PHILLIPS D.O.
WOODCOTE PRACTICE 01491 684060
Flexible appointment times
Private Health Insurance Provider
15
money to them. So here are a few important points to
remember:
1. Your internet service provider (Sky, TalkTalk,
BT etc) will NEVER call you out of the blue to
inform you that you have an issue.
2. Your internet service provider will NEVER ask
you to install software onto your computer that
gives them access to it.
3. Your internet service provider will NEVER ask
you to provide your full password.
4. No company will ever call you out of the blue
and ask you to send them money.
If you have an issue with your broadband phone line,
you must always be the one to contact them. Head to
the website section entitled ‘My Account’, where
information will be provided on how best to contact
the company directly.
In summary, if you get a call out of the blue, hang
up, call the official number for the company (NOT the
number you were called by) and explain what
happened.
For more information, please visit:
https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/
By doing this we can all hopefully stay safe online!
Ian Brakspear.
IT Support Manager.
WHITCHURCH HILL CAMERA CLUB
The Whitchurch Hill Camera Club is looking
forward to a new season of meetings and
competitions which starts this month. The first meeting takes place on Wednesday, 9th September
starting at 8.00 pm in the Whitchurch-on-Thames
Village Hall and the season offers a wide range of
experiences and opportunities to enjoy and develop
your interest in photography through our weekly
meetings.
This season’s Programme includes the usual regular
competitions for colour prints, monochrome prints
and digital projected images and they also take part
in a number of competitions against other Camera
Clubs in the Chilterns Association. In addition to
this, they have lined up some top-level speakers who
are experts in their field of photography. We will be
learning about the development of mirrorless cameras, the world of drone photography and also
abandoned and derelict historic buildings amongst
many other photographic subjects. As well as that,
we will be transported to many exotic locations as the
season progresses and we will be viewing some of the
finest Natural History photography currently
available.
It all looks very exciting and, provided we have no
further problems with the virus pandemic, is set to
further enhance our reputation as one of the leading
Camera Clubs in the area.
Full details can be found online at
www.whitchurchhillcameraclub.co.uk or you can
ring Alan Copeland on 01491 681471.
WALLINGFORD PHOTOGRAPHIC CLUB
Our Club is back for the 2020−2021 season. All
meetings are online at the moment but we are
offering a full programme of speakers, competitions,
and other events to help you improve your
photography and meet like-minded people.
The club meets via Zoom every Thursday. Evenings
start at 7.30pm and run until around 9.30pm, with
Zoom access from 7.15pm.
In September, we have our AGM on the 3rd, before
our Welcome Evening for the new season on the
10th. On the 17th we have a talk from Colin Harrison
on “Creative Flower Photography”. We plan to run a critique evening on the 24th. Looking slightly further
ahead, on 1st October we will have a talk by
Rosemary Wilman called “The Way I See It”.
Please visit www.wallingfordphoto.club to learn more
about the club and find out how to get involved.
16
HOW TO GET A BETTER
NIGHT’S SLEEP…
It is safe to say that many of us have often struggled to sleep well during the past few months. However, local health and fitness expert, Scott Griffiths, is on hand to offer some timely advice. (It also appears that a milky drink at night may help after all!)
What you eat has more of an effect on how you
snooze than you may think. Following these simple
food-related strategies can help you hit the sack
better each night and feel more refreshed each
morning.
Healthy eating can often lead to healthy sleeping. A
diet low in fibre and high in saturated fats can take
its toll on your sleep by decreasing the amount of
deep, slow-wave sleep that you get during the night.
Meanwhile, eating too much sugar can result in more
midnight wake-ups.
So, a healthy balanced diet that's high in fibre and
low in added sugars could help you to drift off faster,
and log as many as two extra hours of sleep a week.
The right diet really can make a difference. Steer
clear of large fried or high-fat meals, spicy foods,
alcohol, and soda—especially close to bedtime. Your
sleep—and your waistline—will thank you! Try to
also avoid drinking caffeine late into the evening as this is a stimulant and can take a long time to be
eliminated from the body.
The best diet for sleep is also good for your total
health. For your best night's sleep, strive to eat a
balanced diet that emphasises fresh fruits,
vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat proteins that
are rich in B vitamins, like fish, poultry, meat, eggs,
and dairy. B vitamins can also help to regulate
melatonin, a hormone that regulates your sleep
cycles.
Losing weight and doing regular exercise can also
lead to better sleep. A reduction in body fat,
especially around your midsection, makes you less likely to struggle with sleep problems like sleep
apnea, restlessness, or insomnia, and less likely to
fight sleepiness during the day.
Visit our website for further help and advice:
www.beyourlevel10.com
WALLINGFORD & DISTRICT ART CLUB (WADAC)
Our demonstration on Tuesday 15
September 2020 will be an online live
demonstration on “Landscapes in
Watercolours” by Frank Walters.
Frank Walters teaches the classic
principles of watercolour landscape painting in a
lively and engaging manner to beginners and those
looking for improvement. His ambition is to
encourage more people to the art of watercolour by
taking them on a journey of creative wonderment and self-belief.
November Financial Services Ltd
Independent Financial Advisers
We offer a comprehensive range of financial services.
To arrange a FREE initial consultation please call
01491 683777 or email [email protected].
November Financial Services Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
ADVANCED PEST CONTROL
of Ewelme Established 1970
HOUSEHOLD, GARDEN & FARM PESTS
wasps, rats, mice, rabbits, cluster flies and all other insects
dealt with promptly Lee Carrington Field View, 97 The Street Crowmarsh Gifford Tel: 01491 835610 Wallingford Mobile: 07970 010214
KINGS
FLOORING CARPETS, VINYLS, LAMINATES,
ENGINEERED WOOD AND KARNDEAN
FOR A FREE QUOTE AND SAMPLES DIRECT
TO YOUR DOOR CALL
01491 681489 07799471648
17
His motto is that watercolour painting should always
be both a fun and rewarding experience for everyone.
The demonstration will be held at 7.30pm online. To
join, obtain password etc, please email:
[email protected] for details of
the link. All viewing is free to members, friends of
the club and local artists/clubs.
Tuesday Tutored Art Classes and Club evenings are currently closed due to Covid-19.
Check on our website for dates when we start again,
or email [email protected]
The Art Club and Art Classes will meet again on
Tuesdays after the Covid-19 restrictions have been
lifted, at the Centre 70, Kinecroft, off Goldsmith
Lane, Wallingford, OX10 0DT.
For more details check on our website:
www.wallingfordartclub.org.uk,
Email [email protected] , tel 01491
681400.
NEED HELP SWITCHING TO A NEW ENERGY SUPPLIER?
Did you know that Citizens Advice
has advisers who can help you sign
up with a new fuel or electricity company, or switch to a better tariff?
There’s no charge for our time and
you won’t be steered towards one particular supplier
because we're impartial, having no links with any of
them. We offer one-on-one sessions (by telephone at
present) and we'll take a close look at your individual
situation.
Now is the time to sort it out before winter closes in
with cold autumn gales.
We can help you understand energy bills and various
kinds of tariffs, supporting you if you want to switch,
and calculating the savings you might make. If
you've fallen behind on bill payments, we can advise you on ways to reduce your debt by budgeting or
trying a new payment scheme, for example.
We can also tell you about energy efficiency
measures around the house, like draught-proofing
windows and doors and installing LED light bulbs.
Grants may be available to pay for thermal
insulation.
We can check your benefit entitlements and help you
to claim them if you're eligible. There are several
helpful schemes like the Priority Services Register
and the Warm Home Discount.
And if you have any complaints against your current
supplier, we can help you resolve them.
You can find the relevant information on our website at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/energy or phone our
Adviceline on 0300 330 9042.
TIME TO GET FIT!
Age UK has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by
creating a new home exercise DVD to enable people to remain active whilst at home. Since lockdown in
March 2020, they have made 18 home exercise
videos publishing one per week on their website and
YouTube channel: generationgamesuk. These freely
available videos have been extremely useful in
keeping people in Oxfordshire active and have had
over 28,000 views on YouTube to date.
These films are especially suitable for older people
who may not feel that the current offer of live online
exercise classes is suitable for them. The collection of
videos features a variety of exercise sessions
available ranging from Strength and Balance which
is great for anyone who is worried about their
balance, to Tai Chi which can have a really positive effect on mental health, as well as Pilates and general
aerobics.
Generation Games were overwhelmed by the positive
reception to their videos. One user, Tricia, emailed to
say: “Thank you so much for these sessions! I’m
really enjoying them and feeling the benefit as have
the family and friends I have forwarded them to. Very
well-thought-out exercises to manage at home.”
And another home exerciser, Janet, emailed to say:
“So glad you decided to make these videos. They are
very helpful and not too difficult!”
However, not everybody has access to the Internet.
24% of people aged 65+ have not used the internet in the last 3 months and there are 3.4 million people
aged 65+ who have never used the Internet. This is
why Generation Games produced a DVD at the
beginning of July that features three Strength and
Balance and two Tai Chi films. Alastair Thomas,
Head of Generation Games said: “We are very aware
of how quickly people can become deconditioned if
they do not remain active, which has been
exacerbated during this time of lockdown and beyond
for those who are shielding. The home exercise DVD
is suitable for older people or people with long term
health conditions; we have received a lot of positive
feedback about it already.”
If you would like to receive a copy of the free strength and balance DVD for yourself or a family member or
friend, please get in touch with Generation Games on
telephone 01235 849 403.
English Tuition Taught by an Experienced and Qualified Teacher of English.
• All abilities and key stages • GCSE & A Level Specialist • One to one personalised lessons.
Please contact me on: 07799100237
18
SEPTEMBER WORD SEARCH
B E P L U M W K C A L B G E W
E V I R E P P O C S H A R S R
I I V E L A M S R Q U Y E Z O
G L D R A T S U M A V W E N S
E O J A D E V E S A N I N L E
T E C H A C Y A N B R G F B N
M A G E N T A S P S L O E R K
C T U R Q U O I S E T F O O C
T L R N M S L L V E A N A N P
W H I T E C K V L L N O C Z U
O E U L B M O E E P E R A E Y
L C R U G A G R M R J M L D E
L A E O B E I L O U E P I P R
E C L Z C N D R N P B L L L G
Y D E R E B N Y R R E H C K L
M E U C E R I S E L O K N I P
Wordsearch Words to find:
Red Yellow Blue Green Silver
Orange Purple Pink Tan Ecru
Cyan Magenta Black White Lime
Indigo Cerise Lilac Navy Bronze
Grey Plum Beige Cherry Jade
Lemon Maroon Olive Rose Mustard
Gold Copper Turquoise
STORAGE DRY SECURE STORAGE UNITS
ON GATED PREMISES IN WOODCOTE
FROM £70 PER MONTH
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE PHONE
01491 680919 / 07763 101393
General Maintenance Gardener Grass cutting, Hedge cutting,
Edging, Weeding, General tidy-up.
For a one-off or regular maintenance
Call: Jason 07775564275
J Roxborough Services
Providing Commercial & Residential Maintenance Services
All building maintenance & small building works undertaken
• Full property renovations
• All aspects of plastering & rendering undertaken
• Floor & wall tiling
• Painting & decorating
• Brickwork repointing
• Flat roof renewal & roof repairs
• Bathroom & kitchen installations
• Fascia & gutter replacement
Free quotes, fully insured, recommendations freely available
Tel: 07909 931601 or 01491 682955
Rosie Care – Local Carer
Fully insured, experienced, DBS,
Palliative, Dementia, Company.
Own car. Kerry 07966 509908
Tel. 01491 682437
19
SEPTEMBER CROSSWORD
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9
10 11
12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20
21 22
23 24
Across
8 Month to reconfigure primary computer followed
by reboot (7)
9 The Expats alternative state (5)
10 Beach in Nebraska? (5)
11 State cuts down king and returns first class (7)
12 Country deep in central Siam (9)
14 Show agreement with Bob (3)
16 Cube of ten in rings (3)
18 Photographs of old attitudes lacking original
threat (9)
21 None at dinner for porridge (7)
22 Snapshot of game I messed up (5)
23 O! Had I gone back to be next to 4d (5)
24 Male calves on the range (7)
Down
1 Non-U tint to go to a party? What a state! (8)
2 Humid after my tea’s been brewed (6)
3 Group’s the same either way (4)
4 Mineral source gone without drug in America (6)
5 Eastern chaps seats (8)
6 Orthodoxy generally has a gas (6)
7 Continent within a Siamese (4)
13 Ask the Spanish school missing a framework (8)
15 End spies disorganised share (8)
17 Disney goes back after OU crook (6)
19 Home of friend number one (6)
20 Think about the cause (6)
21 Primarily one’s hairstyle indicates one’s state (4)
22 Inside radio war around des Moines (4)
AUGUST CROSSWORD SOLUTION
S A T U R N U R A N U S
A R O I E T
T R A N S I T V I P E R
I P S O E T A
R O S T I M E R C U R Y
E N A N S
J A I L H O U S E
S U A N U
C O P S H O W V E N U S
O I A K E I A
R A T E S S T I N G E R
E E T L E M
S U R V E Y O S P R E Y
COULD YOU BE ELIGIBLE FOR A FREE LICENCE?
The race is on to encourage over-75s to claim the
Pension Credit and free TV Licences they are due. As
the curtain fell on the free TV licence scheme for
over-75s, the Government Pension Credit take-up
figures show that around 3,500 older people in
Oxfordshire are still failing to get the Pension Credit
they are due. Pension Credit is a welfare benefit for
people who are over state pension age on a low
income. Without the award of Pension Credit
Guarantee Credit, they will not be able to get a free
TV licence either, which will leave people on already
low incomes struggling to find an extra £150 this
year and every year. Age UK Oxfordshire is therefore calling on everyone aged over 75 to see without delay
if they are eligible for Pension Credit, if they haven’t
already done so. Some older people don't know they
can claim Pension Credit. Many struggle to apply and
others feel too embarrassed to ask for a payment to
which they are entitled to. There have been very few
serious efforts by any government in recent years to
encourage older people on very low incomes to claim
Pension Credit. Yet many older people have relied on
TV during lockdown as their main source of news
and information about the virus – so crucial at this
challenging time.
Although the restrictions imposed by the virus are being gradually eased, we know that many people
over 75 remain too worried to go out and about and
are spending more time than usual confined within
their own four walls. So we are urging people to
waste no time in checking whether they might be
eligible.
If you already think you are eligible – you can apply
online here www.gov.uk/pensioncredit/how-to-claim
or call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99
1234.
If you are unsure and need someone to check on
your behalf – call our Age UK Oxfordshire helpline on
0345 450 1276 (10am – 4pm, Mon – Fri) or the
national Age UK Helpline on 0800 169 65 65 (8am – 7pm daily).
20
DATES FOR THE DIARY – SEPTEMBER
Tues 1st
* BMMHS Zoom Talk: 'Hardit Singh Malik - The Flying Sikh in the RFC 1917-19'.
Email [email protected]. 2.00pm
Thur
3rd
* Wallingford Photographic Club AGM via
Zoom. www.wallingfordphoto.club.
7.30pm
Sun
6th
* Online Church Service. Email
[email protected]. 10am.
Wed
9th
* BMMHS Zoom Talk: 'Taranto - The
Sinking of the Italian Fleet'. Email
[email protected]. 7.30pm
* Whitchurch Hill Camera Club meeting:
Review of last season's online
competitions. Whitchurch Village Hall.
8pm
Thur
10th
* Wallingford Photographic Club welcome
evening via Zoom.
www.wallingfordphoto.club. 7.30pm
Sun
13th
* Online Church Service. Email
[email protected]. 10am.
Tues
15th
* Wallingford & District Art Club on-line
demonstration: 'Landscapes in
Watercolours'. Email
[email protected]. 7.30pm
Wed
16th
* Whitchurch Hill Camera Club meeting:
Judging of summer challenge. Whitchurch
Village Hall. 8pm
Thur 17th
* Wallingford Photographic Club talk via Zoom: 'Creative Flower Photography'.
www.wallingfordphoto.club. 7.30pm
Sun
20th
* Online Church Service. Email
[email protected]. 10am.
Wed
23rd
* Whitchurch Hill Camera Club meeting:
Review of last season's online
competitions. Whitchurch Village Hall.
8pm
Thur
24th
* Wallingford Photographic Club critique
evening via Zoom.
www.wallingfordphoto.club. 7.30pm
Sun
27th
* Online Church Service. Email
[email protected]. 10am.
Wed 30th
* Whitchurch Hill Camera Club meeting: Selection evening. Whitchurch Village
Hall. 8pm
FORTHCOMING DATES IN OCTOBER
Thur
1st
* Wallingford Photographic Club talk via
Zoom: 'The Way I See It'.
www.wallingfordphoto.club. 7.30pm
Tues
6th
* BMMHS Zoom Talk: 'The Women of SOE -
A cool and lonely courage'. Email
[email protected]. 2.00pm
Wed
14th
* BMMHS Zoom Talk: 'The Dover Patrol
WW1'. Email [email protected]. 7.30pm
WORDSEARCH SOLUTION
B E P L U M W K C A L B G E W
E V I R E P P O C S H A R S R
I I V E L A M S R Q U Y E Z O
G L D R A T S U M A V W E N S
E O J A D E V E S A N I N L E
T E C H A C Y A N B R G F B N
M A G E N T A S P S L O E R K
C T U R Q U O I S E T F O O C
T L R N M S L L V E A N A N P
W H I T E C K V L L N O C Z U
O E U L B M O E E P E R A E Y
L C R U G A G R M R J M L D E
L A E O B E I L O U E P I P R
E C L Z C N D R N P B L L L G
Y D E R E B N Y R R E H C K L
M E U C E R I S E L O K N I P
BRITISH MODERN MILITARY HISTORY SOCIETY
With our meetings in Woodcote village hall
suspended due to COVID19, the BMMHS has
organised a full schedule of virtual talks via Zoom
until Christmas with two talks a month on a wide
range of military topics and history.
In August, historian Paul Barnett gave a fascinating talk, followed by a Q&A, on the Rout on the Riviera –
the Disaster at Slapton Sands where a practise
operation before the D Day landings in 1944 off the
Devon coast was intercepted by German S Boats.
Over 750 mainly US soldiers lost their lives, and it
was all kept secret until the 1970s!
For this and next month’s schedule see the Diary.
To register for the virtual talks, email us on
[email protected] and the link will be sent out on
the morning of the talk. Everyone is welcome.
To keep BMMHS running, a donation of £5 per talk
is requested. For more information on these talks,
and payment details, visit our website on
www.bmmhs.org
We are hoping to resume our meetings in the Woodcote Village Hall in the new year, subject to
prevailing COVID19 restrictions… keep an eye on the
website for details.
CLOSING THOUGHT
A clear conscience is the sure sign of a bad memory.
Mark Twain
American author and humourist, 1835 – 1910
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