Faringdon- edge of the Cotswolds. Oxford 17miles, Witney15 miles, Burford 12 miles Cirencester 21 miles
News and Views
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Building work has started at the Health Centre- 21/4/18
Please note that the main entrance to the Health Centre will be closed for essential building work through to August. All patients and visitors will have to use either the Yellow entrance on the left, or the Blue one on the right side of the building.
When you phone for an appointment we will tell you which entrance to use. This is important because, for a while, there will be no internal access between the Blue and Yellow wings. ( Look out for the big yellow and blue posters that list which side the drs and nurses will be)
The front of the building will also be partly fenced off for the builders.
Please look out for the large Yellow or Blue signs directing you safely to the correct door.
Several parking spaces will be out of use so please park locally if you are dropping someone off and collecting them later.
The Health Centre apologises for this disruption. We hope everyone will understand that such major alterations inevitably mean some inconvenience for a while.
Spring Newsletter from White Horse Practice- 18/4/18
Lots to read- Building changes, evening and weekend appointments, online diagnosis, screening and more - all in the Spring 2018 newsletter http://www.whitehorsepracticeppg.org.uk/news--your-views.html
Folly Tower open this Sunday- 14/4/18
11am- 5pm
The Folly is on facebook-a good way to keep up with what goes on- you won't be inundated with emails
Potholes, street cleanliness reports again- 13/4/18
This site gets about 3000 page views each day and about 500 unique visitors per day. If just 10% of those people reported a pothole and/or a pavement that needed attention a couple of times a week together we should get some significant action.
Hope you'll give it a go.
I understand there is a fixmystreet app- I've not tried it yet- maybe one of you have? Any good?
Ed
I liked this - 13/4/18
Quote from Milton Friedman in 2004
There are four ways in which you can spend money:
Snippets from the FTC Council meeting 11/4 - 13/4/18
This week I walked round the old town with the person who inspects our streets for cleanliness. The main issue appeared to be small detritus- cigarette ends, mud (in which weeds take root), and grit ( sometimes from salting the pavements). It looked to me that although big litter is picked, sweeping of the pavements needs much more effort.
I was also told that her weekly inspection mainly focussed on reported areas ( insufficient time to look at more places)
So lets point out the areas that need attention. She said either use fixmystreet ( reports go to both Biffa and Waste team inVWHDC) or email admin.vale@biffa.co.uk
If after a reasonable period of time the issue has not been dealt with report to VWHDC Waste Team waste.team@southandvale.gov.uk
The contract with Biffa is specified in terms of standards to be met ( Code of Practice, 2006)
These vary ( and the time to rectify) depending on whether deemed high intensity ( Market Sq and streets around) or low intensity( other streets)
There's more detail on this document
If you live in an area designated as 'low intensity' I suspect the only way you can get cleanliness improved is by reporting it
I find it irritating that we have to do this to get our streets up to standard. On the other hand we can't expect VWHDC to know everything about what needs to be done.
Any suggestions about what we could do as town residents to improve the level of cleanliness ?
Ed
Report potholes - 12/4/18
Extract from County Councillors report
POTHOLE FUND BOOSTED TO REPAIR ROADS AFTER WINTER DAMAGE
Central Government has announced that local roads badly affected by recent winter weather will benefit from a further £100 million to help repair any potholes and other storm damage, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced on26 March. Nationally, this money will help repair almost 2 million potholes as well as help protect the roads from any future severe weather. This is on top of the £75 million in government funding already given to councils from the Pothole Action Fund this year, as well as the additional £46 million boost for highways authorities announced just before Christmas. Around 7 million potholes across the UK will be filled due to this money, announced in the 2016 Budget. Oxfordshire’s share of these funds comes to nearly £3m.
Let's help them by reporting potholes via Fixmystreet
You can see reported potholes on a map
If a pothole has been outlined with paint it has already been inspected by our team and programmed to be fixed, so you don't need to report it.
Ed
This website- 10/4/18
I was getting some spam emails though the contact form, so I have installed 'captcha' I'm told it only appears if it thinks you're spam. I'm hoping it knows all of you are not spam
Ed
Faringdon Town Centre is dying on its feet - 10/4/18
...........and yes, I've signed the petition.
I believe, though, a local museum is unlikely to attract visitors, however well meant that feature may be. There is very little of sufficient interest here to justify it.
Visitors are attracted by the visual impact of a place, its amenities in the shape of pretty shops, eating places and so on. Of course we are on the edge of the Cotswolds, but not quite close enough; Burford etc. provide too much competition.
What could have been a very good, although small, exhibition space exists at the Old Town Hall. As an exhibition space it was RUINED by the inclusion of the two display cupboards on the largest wall in the room, so whoever approved that should have taken more advice. It might be a gesture to remove these display cupboards and use the OTH as an exhibition space again. Properly marketed, that could be a real asset.
Another idea that might be considered is the use of the Catholic Church as a concert venue. Maybe the provision one way or another of a decent piano (Church willing) would over time enable the build-up of an audience. The Catholic Church is by far the best (accoustically speaking) place for small recitals/concerts in the town. The Corn exchange although refurbished is too large for this.
Smartening up the town centre with a sympathetic over-all colour scheme might also help. Maybe - just maybe, the site behind the library will become available again as a supermarket possibility, but Im not holding my breath. The suggestion to have a supermarket there was the single most sensible idea for regeneration that I've heard since Ive been in Faringdon (since 1969) and chatting to many of the shopkeepers at the time, they agreed.
Hilary Taylor
Petition- Make sure the Budgens site is used to benefit Faringdon - 10/4/18
As our elected representatives, you will be well aware that many of Faringdon’s residents and business owners are very concerned about the decline in the Town Centre, especially with the loss of its banks and only supermarket.
We have some tremendous assets in the immediate vicinity of the town. The Folly and its woodland for a start. Considering that forty years ago the tower was bricked up, and is now open twice a month during the summer, no-one can deny that the Folly Trust have done an amazing job. People travel from all over Oxfordshire, and beyond, for an enjoyable Sunday afternoon. Their children play in the quirky woodland, they climb the tower, take in the spectacular views, read the information boards about the area and how the tower came to be built.
And yet.. very few of these visitors venture into Faringdon. Beyond having a pub lunch there’s nothing to keep them there. Nor is there very much to draw them back on the 340 or so days of the year when the Folly isn’t open.
Looking at neighbouring towns of roughly the same size, they mostly have some non-commercial feature to attract and hold visitors. Wantage has the Vale and Downland Museum and walks along Letcombe Brook. Lechlade has the Thames Path. You can walk along the Windrush at Witney and Burford when you’re tired of shopping.
Faringdon is lacking a natural (or even man-made) feature close to the town centre. The Folly? Yes, but it’s a good hike up there and not ideal for the casual visitor. Faringdon House, grounds and lake would be ideal, but sadly there’s not much chance of that in the foreseeable future........
............read on and sign the petition
Litter-pickers - 9/4/18
Congratulations and well done to the litter pickers. Not a pleasant job, I am sure, but something which makes Faringdon more attractive in a quiet way!
Mary Beck
First World war memories - 9/4/18
Can anyone tell me if there were any local documented memories for the First World War from the people who lived locally during the time? I’ve read the excellent collection of memories from World War 2 by Mary Beck on Faringdon.org but can’t locate anything else yet I’m sure I’ve read something a few years ago. Can anyone point us in the right direction? We want to incorporate as much as we can into the Sensory Garden project and need to get it right. You can contact me at meljlane@me.com
Many thanks
Mel Lane
Project Manager - Faringdon Sensory Garden Project
www.faringdonsensorygarden.co.uk
Community Litter Pick- lots of people- 8/4/18
75 people!! Read about it on
http://faringdontowncouncil.gov.uk/tidier-faringdon/
New Noticeboard in Market Square - 7/4/18
Have you seen the new noticeboard in the Market Square, near Marriotts. On one side there is a lovely picture of the Folly which hopefully will be seen by visitors to Faringdon and on the other side a timeline of key events in Faringdon's history. The posters are set in a frame of artistic laser cut steel silhouettes of the main buildings in Faringdon with adjoining panels with motifs relating to the Folly and the town. These include animals, birds and trees found on Folly Hill and the star and flag that sit on top of the Folly Tower. Joel Francis (Faringdon) designed both posters. http://www.redskycreative-epublishing.co/
Karen Vogt designed the art work for the frame
The noticeboard was funded from an Arts fund from housing developers and the Tesco Bags of life grant fund. Karen Vogt designed the art work.
See picture
Planning application to excavate sand from Folly Hill - 6/4/18
Don't panic- it was refused in 1987
See the article in the paper
Please do 'like' the Folly facebook page to keep up to date
Ed
Grants for Community groups from VWHDC - 6/4/18
See http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/services-and-advice/community-advice-and-support/grants
Dentistry survey - 6/4/18
Healthwatch Oxfordshire are running a survey to find out people’s views and experience of NHS dentistry across Oxfordshire.
Do you use a dentist? Have you had trouble finding an NHS dentist? Do you never go? What’s the service like in your area?
Let us know your views on NHS Dentistry across Oxfordshire, by filling in our short survey at the link below.
https://healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk/filling-the-gaps-your-views-on-nhs-dentistry-in-oxfordshire/
Notes from FTC Communities and Partnerships meeting 4/4/18 - 5/4/18
1 The Place (Children's centre) will be up and running very soon
2 There is now a defibrillator at the Fire Station
3 Faringdon Day Centre. ( Keith Thrower)
OCC ( Oxfordshire County Council) have cut funding and closed a number of Day Centres ( including Oakwood)
A transition grant has been awarded to Faringdon Day Centre (Bromsgrove) and this, with payments from those who attend (based on minimum 12 people per session, Mon, Thurs) , grants from Tesco, Waitrose, Faringdon United Charities and Rotary will be sufficient for the coming year. Around £21000 pa is needed.
5 VWHDC was planning to allocate 106 money from the Highworth Road development to the Wantage Day Centre. FTC have pointed out there is a Day Centre in Faringdon as they didn't appear to know.
6 A Youth Challenge project (14yrs-26) involving community events and citizenship is about to be announced
7 A policy document on how Groups in the town can apply for funding Youth projects has been agreed
8 A community engagement policy for this committee is to be defined
9 A public meeting is to be arranged to tell residents what has been achieved over recent years, and what is still to be done. The aim will be to form action groups to take forward as many projects as possible.
10 Regent Cinema. Issues with the Cinema and projection equipment have been resolved.
12 A tapestry to commemorate 800 years since the Market Charter is being created. It will be hung in the Corn Exchange.
13 Faringdon Dramatic Society is producing a performance to celebrate the 800 Market Charter and 70 years of the Dramatic Society. It will cover the history of Faringdon and will be held at Buscot Park theatre.
Faringdon Nativity - 4/4/18
The video for the Faringdon Town Nativity is ready and available for viewing at the below link 😊
http://faringdontowncouncil.gov.uk/nativity-video-is-here/
Record Fair - 4/4/18
African Children's Fund, 11 Market Square, Faringdon, SN7 7HL
21st April 2018 09:00-17:00
Free entry
Due to popular demand, we're celebrating the vinyl revival by bringing our Record Fair to Faringdon on Saturday 21st April. We will have hundreds of records for sale on the day, ranging from soul to pop and folk to classical, in 7", 12" and LP formats.
What's more, Citizen Cane has promised to pop along and spin a few tunes to create a party atmosphere!
Invite your friends and make sure you're there early to get your pick of the pops!
01367 244480
SUMMER HOCKEY IN FARINGDON.- 4/4/18
Keep fit over the summer with Hockey training in Faringdon.
We plan to meet weekly from May to September and run fun training sessions for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
No previous experience needed and we can provide sticks and balls as well.
Spread the news and bring a friend or two as well.
Please e-mail, text or call to register your interest.
neil.mantle@btinternet.com
07740 938096
A thought just crossed my mind ( no it wasn't a long journey).- 3/4/18
Just popped into McColls to post a letter (not for the faint hearted), firstly after getting through the door I couldn't go further into the shop as there was a long queue of people across the doorway waiting to be served at the front counter.
Once through that queue I joined the next queue for the post office bit, several shoppers breaking into our little band of patient stalwarts trying to buy magazines, some even standing there actually reading the contents of their chosen mag, (I know disgraceful behaviour isn't it) some were also trying to look at packaging and bubble wrap on the other side of the aisle, we small band of post office users almost linked arms to stop the intruders but to no avail our ranks were broken into on several occasions.
Eventually I was served by friendly PO staff and my effort to leave the store was just as time consuming and tedious as trying to get in. Boxes were in the way on the floor, shoppers looking at greetings cards/wine/chocolates/toys blocked the way I managed to swerve around and in my now panicked state of mind( I loathe mazes) I could see the light coming in through the doors......only once again having to run the gauntlet of getting through the queue across the exit, the glaring eyes bore into my head as I excused my way through them I managed to exit....phew!
Now, as McColls seem to want be all things to all shoppers, newspaper shop, grocery shop, post office, toy shop and off licence wouldn't it make sense for them to take over what was the Budgens store, surely it could be all spread out to make shopping in there more enjoyable, the post office could be a much more staff and customer friendly place (seeing as we have to use the post office as a bank soon it could be so much better) either that or for pity's sake de clutter the existing store, everywhere in there is log jammed by either other shoppers or poorly thought out shelving and stands all serving as a hazard, as it is at the moment the layout just doesn't make anyone want to voluntarily go in and shop. We use it because we have to, not because we want to.
Name supplied
WANTED By Faringdon Bowling Club- 3/4/18
Ladies and Men of all ages to play Lawn Bowls in a friendly atmosphere. No previous experience needed as free coaching is available.
Other activities include weekly ladies Keep Fit class, fortnightly Coffee Mornings, monthly Sunday lunches, regular social evenings and weekly Friday Club Night with bar available.
Why not come along to one of our Friday evening bowls taster sessions starting 20th, April. Bowls is a great way to make new friends and to keep fit
For more information please contact the Membership Secretary, Trevor Durrant, on 01793 330564 or email trevor.durrant1@ntlworld.com
Faringdon Bowling Club Gravel Walk, Faringdon, SN7 7JN
Tel: 01367 242649
Lost- bunch of keys - 1/4/18
The keys were lost early Easter sunday morning in the Coxwell Rd./Street, Park Road, Marlborough Gardens, Costcutter area.
If found please hand them in to Gary at Costcutters.
Thankyou
Lechlade Road - 31/3/18
The new road surface on the Lechlade road is brilliant, but why oh why did they have to put those stupid humps back in,
It can't be for traffic calming because vehicles still drive through there too fast.
Name supplied
TalkTalk- 29/3/17
Have other Talk Talk users in Faringdon had internet and telephone issues on Tuesday and Wednesday this week?
Name supplied
False rumours - 29/3/18
The Cobblers and the Toy Shop in the Cornmarket are NOT closing
Ed
News from the White Horse Medical Practice- 27/3/18
Lots to read- Building changes, evening and weekend appointments, online diagnosis, screening and more - all in the Spring 2018 newsletter http://www.whitehorsepracticeppg.org.uk/news--your-views.html
Carpenter wanted - 25/3/18
Does anyone know a good carpenter in faringdon?
Many thanks
Annabelle.lilly@hotmail.co.uk
FARINGDON 'SAVE OUR COMMUNITY' EVENT - 23/3/18
Support a local business, enjoy a good 'ole natter face to face and hear from someone who has been there and done, what we as a community, are hoping to achieve in Faringdon. What's not to like?
Jane, owner of Stay Grounded in the Market Place, has kindly agreed to open especially for the event and is providing her delicious coffee and tea at a set price of *£2 (payment on the door) - depending on your 'usual' that's a huge discount!
Places are limited to 25 max. and will be offered on a first come, first served on the night. So please arrive early to avoid disappointment.
The event will finish promptly at 9pm.
Please spread the word with anyone not on Facebook.
*Applies to first drink only.
See poster
Community Litter Pick - 21/3/18
7th April 2018
2-5pm Meet at The Old Town Hall
further details please email rebekah@faringdontowncouncil.gov.uk
See poster board
New Noticeboard in Market Square - 21/3/18
Have you seen the new noticeboard in the Market Square, near Marriotts. On one side there is a lovely picture of the Folly which hopefully will be seen by visitors to Faringdon and on the other side a timeline of key events in Faringdon's history. The posters are set in a frame of artistic laser cut steel silhouettes of the main buildings in Faringdon with adjoining panels with motifs relating to the Folly and the town. These include animals, birds and trees found on Folly Hill and the star and flag that sit on top of the Folly Tower. See if you can find them.
The noticeboard was funded from an Arts fund from housing developers and the Tesco Bags of life grant fund. Karen Vogt designed the art work.
Litter on Folly Park View - 19/3/18
On Saturday I chatted to a man who was clearing weeds and rubbish from the circular footpath that goes from Southhampton Street to the NHS surgery. He said that everywhere is such a mess that he had decided to start on improving the environment and hoped the idea may spread. I hate all the litter that is dropped around the town so decided to try to help.
I live on the Folly Park View estate so I will be putting up notices in the estate notice boards to see if anyone would join with me to make a start on picking up litter on the estate. Faringdon is a lovely town and this estate is quite nice too and it is a great shame that litter, dog poo bags and mess spoil everywhere. Councils are underfunded these days and do not have the money to do everything so let us have a go ourselves.
if interested phone Mary on 01367 242410.
Faringdon Refill- A Zero Waste Wholefood Coop - 19/3/18
I know a lot of people are concerned about ways to reduce plastic waste.
There's a group of us in the process of setting up a refill stall/pop up shop in Faringdon selling loose wholefoods (eg, pasta, rice, cereal).
If anyone would like to be involved in the project, you would be welcome to join our group https://www.facebook.com/groups/515167168884312/?fref=gs&dti=2215583620&hc_location=group
Helen Brown
Anyone know John Vine? - 18/3/18
In the 1970's my sport was judo. My instructor was John Vine from Faringdon.I believe john had cine film of me competing and I would love to be able to show these to my grandchildren. I lost touch with John and his family (wife Bette and daughter Sue) many years ago and not sure if they are even alive now, but if anybody knows the whereabouts of these films, even if they have been destroyed, I would love to know. Thank you. My surname was Lacey. foxclem45@aol.com
Rowena Fox
Getting the word out about your event- 16/3/18
I've just come across Whats On advisor website - just enter details of your event- free. I put Folly Tower Open days on a number of this these sort of sites- no idea which is best- but the support guy for this one is noticeably responsive.
Ed
Budgens- 16/3/18
An indoor market is a good idea- with affordable rent for small businesses it could work- as long as whoever owns the building gets enough income. Seems highly likely that Faringdon will never have the selection of individual shops it once had- society has changed too much- online shopping, we expect good prices and wide selection, working women, eating ready meals and takeaways.
Another thought- when Carters extended the shop in the 1970s, they added the warehouse type building on the back . I guess this is not a valuable part of the building, but it does sit on what could possibly be a valuable site for redevelopment.
Local Yokel
Budgens etc- 15/3/18
A nice idea, to turn it into an indoor market. (though I did wonder whether the co-op would take it on, as they did in Bampton). I think we have to accept that Faringdon will not be a shopping hub - it seems to be going the same way as other small towns in that department. Stanford used to have lots of shops too, in the olden days.
I do think we could do more to encourage visitors, though, especially in stressing the history of the town rather than any more barminess. It used to be a very busy coaching town - perhaps the hotels would help in bigging this up to encourage people top stay there. As so many shops are closing I would like to suggest that the Information Centre is moved back into a shop and made more welcoming. I have met visitors to the town who did not know there was an information centre!
And what about the Pump House, while we are about it - a historic building with nothing to say what it is, or what goes on there. Faringdon is unique architecturally, having some Cotstwold-type buildings and some in the Vale style. One person stopped me to ask where the colourful houses were - he must have heard of them from somewhere.
Congratulations on the whole page article on the Folly in this week's Oxford Times. We ought to give more thought to publicising things like events. Perhaps we could think of more events other than pop music to draw visitors in. How about an event which would be unique to Faringdon - a moaning competition. We could have two types, both of which would consist of people competing to moan for one minute without repetition or hesitation, but one type would be for contestants who were happy to give their names, and one for people who could give false names as long as they dressed up and wore a mask.
Mary Beck
Faringdon - 15/3/18
I doubt very much that Faringdon will die. Over the years since it was awarded its charter it has changed and changed again. We no longer sell sheep in the market place. The town will just evolve.
Green Witch
Pop up Concert - 15/3/18
Wednesday 21st March The Catholic Church Marlborough St Faringdon SN7 7JE.
Doors open 7.15pm (drinks available)
Concert starts 8pm.
Performances by:
Budgens and afterwards - 15/3/18
I've been a regular at Budgens, even years before it was Budgens, and will miss having a town centre grocery shop. I've no idea who owns the building, or what they intend for the site, but I wonder if there's any mileage in turning it into an indoor market. I had in mind a food market, perhaps with local producers renting stalls along side specialist food sellers. Perhaps the farmers' market movement might be interested in exploring the idea. The town centre is getting sidelined. A covered market might help.
John King
Vale vision - 15/3/18
We have just had a flyer through the door headed ‘Vale Vision’ produced by the conservatives.
Item 3 is headed ‘supporting our market towns’ and shows a photograph of Faringdon town centre.
With Faringdon town centre closing down very fast, and with the growth of supermarket giants on the edge of town, I would be interested to know what support and help they have given to local small traders and businesses for them to be able to continue to trade.
My view is, not very much, unless of course you need a haircut, then you are spoilt for choice.
Name and address supplied.
Lechlade Road Closure - 15/3/18
Rather than "idiotic" as hysterically described by "Name and address supplied" 13/3, I would think the decision to resurface during the night is a sensible one. When Church Street was closed at night for resurfacing, the residents were full of praise for the quick,efficient and quiet way the work was carried out. As "Name supplied" points out in a later posting "How else is the work to be done?"
Yet another example of News and Views being used to hurl abuse and then hiding behind a nom-de -plum. I'm surprised our esteemed editor allows it.
Dennis Haynes
Please note that the main entrance to the Health Centre will be closed for essential building work through to August. All patients and visitors will have to use either the Yellow entrance on the left, or the Blue one on the right side of the building.
When you phone for an appointment we will tell you which entrance to use. This is important because, for a while, there will be no internal access between the Blue and Yellow wings. ( Look out for the big yellow and blue posters that list which side the drs and nurses will be)
The front of the building will also be partly fenced off for the builders.
Please look out for the large Yellow or Blue signs directing you safely to the correct door.
Several parking spaces will be out of use so please park locally if you are dropping someone off and collecting them later.
The Health Centre apologises for this disruption. We hope everyone will understand that such major alterations inevitably mean some inconvenience for a while.
Spring Newsletter from White Horse Practice- 18/4/18
Lots to read- Building changes, evening and weekend appointments, online diagnosis, screening and more - all in the Spring 2018 newsletter http://www.whitehorsepracticeppg.org.uk/news--your-views.html
Folly Tower open this Sunday- 14/4/18
11am- 5pm
The Folly is on facebook-a good way to keep up with what goes on- you won't be inundated with emails
Potholes, street cleanliness reports again- 13/4/18
This site gets about 3000 page views each day and about 500 unique visitors per day. If just 10% of those people reported a pothole and/or a pavement that needed attention a couple of times a week together we should get some significant action.
Hope you'll give it a go.
I understand there is a fixmystreet app- I've not tried it yet- maybe one of you have? Any good?
Ed
I liked this - 13/4/18
Quote from Milton Friedman in 2004
There are four ways in which you can spend money:
- You can spend your own money on yourself. When you do that, then you really watch out what you're doing, and try to get the most for your money.
- Then you can spend your own money on someone else. For example I buy a birthday present for someone. Then I'm not so careful about the content of the present, but I'm very careful about the cost
- Then I can spend somebody else's money on myself. If I spend someone else's money on myself, then I'm sure going to have a good lunch
- Finally. I can spend someone else's money on somebody else. I'm not concerned how much it is, and I'm not concerned what I get
- And that's government. And that's close to 40% of our national income
Snippets from the FTC Council meeting 11/4 - 13/4/18
- The National Trust have appealed against the decision for cycle tracks in Badbury Clump. The Secretary of State will decide
- Faringdon Hares project sounds fun. Launch date is 18/5 (I think). The Cotswold Hare trail is launched ( I think) 27/5
- Coach park signs ( Near Waitrose) have been put up. Not sure if anyone has contacted the coach companies.
- VWHDC support for Saturday Markets has ceased. Markets will continue as planned for this year run by FTC staff. This is just for the short term. If Saturday markets are to continue another way is needed.
- The Place (Childrens Centre) likely to start early May. All day Thurs in the Pump House and other sessions at other times and places round town.
- A Resident spoke about illegal parking
- Police spoke about a spike in burglaries. Said they had no resource to do anything about illegal parking, except on an ad hoc basis.
- FTC are planning to spend £500 (106 money) on flower beds in the car park. First, discussion with VWHDC car parks team is needed to ensure that this does not mean ongoing care is the responsibility of FTC
Ed
This week I walked round the old town with the person who inspects our streets for cleanliness. The main issue appeared to be small detritus- cigarette ends, mud (in which weeds take root), and grit ( sometimes from salting the pavements). It looked to me that although big litter is picked, sweeping of the pavements needs much more effort.
I was also told that her weekly inspection mainly focussed on reported areas ( insufficient time to look at more places)
So lets point out the areas that need attention. She said either use fixmystreet ( reports go to both Biffa and Waste team inVWHDC) or email admin.vale@biffa.co.uk
If after a reasonable period of time the issue has not been dealt with report to VWHDC Waste Team waste.team@southandvale.gov.uk
The contract with Biffa is specified in terms of standards to be met ( Code of Practice, 2006)
These vary ( and the time to rectify) depending on whether deemed high intensity ( Market Sq and streets around) or low intensity( other streets)
There's more detail on this document
If you live in an area designated as 'low intensity' I suspect the only way you can get cleanliness improved is by reporting it
I find it irritating that we have to do this to get our streets up to standard. On the other hand we can't expect VWHDC to know everything about what needs to be done.
Any suggestions about what we could do as town residents to improve the level of cleanliness ?
Ed
Report potholes - 12/4/18
Extract from County Councillors report
POTHOLE FUND BOOSTED TO REPAIR ROADS AFTER WINTER DAMAGE
Central Government has announced that local roads badly affected by recent winter weather will benefit from a further £100 million to help repair any potholes and other storm damage, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling announced on26 March. Nationally, this money will help repair almost 2 million potholes as well as help protect the roads from any future severe weather. This is on top of the £75 million in government funding already given to councils from the Pothole Action Fund this year, as well as the additional £46 million boost for highways authorities announced just before Christmas. Around 7 million potholes across the UK will be filled due to this money, announced in the 2016 Budget. Oxfordshire’s share of these funds comes to nearly £3m.
Let's help them by reporting potholes via Fixmystreet
You can see reported potholes on a map
If a pothole has been outlined with paint it has already been inspected by our team and programmed to be fixed, so you don't need to report it.
Ed
This website- 10/4/18
I was getting some spam emails though the contact form, so I have installed 'captcha' I'm told it only appears if it thinks you're spam. I'm hoping it knows all of you are not spam
Ed
Faringdon Town Centre is dying on its feet - 10/4/18
...........and yes, I've signed the petition.
I believe, though, a local museum is unlikely to attract visitors, however well meant that feature may be. There is very little of sufficient interest here to justify it.
Visitors are attracted by the visual impact of a place, its amenities in the shape of pretty shops, eating places and so on. Of course we are on the edge of the Cotswolds, but not quite close enough; Burford etc. provide too much competition.
What could have been a very good, although small, exhibition space exists at the Old Town Hall. As an exhibition space it was RUINED by the inclusion of the two display cupboards on the largest wall in the room, so whoever approved that should have taken more advice. It might be a gesture to remove these display cupboards and use the OTH as an exhibition space again. Properly marketed, that could be a real asset.
Another idea that might be considered is the use of the Catholic Church as a concert venue. Maybe the provision one way or another of a decent piano (Church willing) would over time enable the build-up of an audience. The Catholic Church is by far the best (accoustically speaking) place for small recitals/concerts in the town. The Corn exchange although refurbished is too large for this.
Smartening up the town centre with a sympathetic over-all colour scheme might also help. Maybe - just maybe, the site behind the library will become available again as a supermarket possibility, but Im not holding my breath. The suggestion to have a supermarket there was the single most sensible idea for regeneration that I've heard since Ive been in Faringdon (since 1969) and chatting to many of the shopkeepers at the time, they agreed.
Hilary Taylor
Petition- Make sure the Budgens site is used to benefit Faringdon - 10/4/18
As our elected representatives, you will be well aware that many of Faringdon’s residents and business owners are very concerned about the decline in the Town Centre, especially with the loss of its banks and only supermarket.
We have some tremendous assets in the immediate vicinity of the town. The Folly and its woodland for a start. Considering that forty years ago the tower was bricked up, and is now open twice a month during the summer, no-one can deny that the Folly Trust have done an amazing job. People travel from all over Oxfordshire, and beyond, for an enjoyable Sunday afternoon. Their children play in the quirky woodland, they climb the tower, take in the spectacular views, read the information boards about the area and how the tower came to be built.
And yet.. very few of these visitors venture into Faringdon. Beyond having a pub lunch there’s nothing to keep them there. Nor is there very much to draw them back on the 340 or so days of the year when the Folly isn’t open.
Looking at neighbouring towns of roughly the same size, they mostly have some non-commercial feature to attract and hold visitors. Wantage has the Vale and Downland Museum and walks along Letcombe Brook. Lechlade has the Thames Path. You can walk along the Windrush at Witney and Burford when you’re tired of shopping.
Faringdon is lacking a natural (or even man-made) feature close to the town centre. The Folly? Yes, but it’s a good hike up there and not ideal for the casual visitor. Faringdon House, grounds and lake would be ideal, but sadly there’s not much chance of that in the foreseeable future........
............read on and sign the petition
Litter-pickers - 9/4/18
Congratulations and well done to the litter pickers. Not a pleasant job, I am sure, but something which makes Faringdon more attractive in a quiet way!
Mary Beck
First World war memories - 9/4/18
Can anyone tell me if there were any local documented memories for the First World War from the people who lived locally during the time? I’ve read the excellent collection of memories from World War 2 by Mary Beck on Faringdon.org but can’t locate anything else yet I’m sure I’ve read something a few years ago. Can anyone point us in the right direction? We want to incorporate as much as we can into the Sensory Garden project and need to get it right. You can contact me at meljlane@me.com
Many thanks
Mel Lane
Project Manager - Faringdon Sensory Garden Project
www.faringdonsensorygarden.co.uk
Community Litter Pick- lots of people- 8/4/18
75 people!! Read about it on
http://faringdontowncouncil.gov.uk/tidier-faringdon/
New Noticeboard in Market Square - 7/4/18
Have you seen the new noticeboard in the Market Square, near Marriotts. On one side there is a lovely picture of the Folly which hopefully will be seen by visitors to Faringdon and on the other side a timeline of key events in Faringdon's history. The posters are set in a frame of artistic laser cut steel silhouettes of the main buildings in Faringdon with adjoining panels with motifs relating to the Folly and the town. These include animals, birds and trees found on Folly Hill and the star and flag that sit on top of the Folly Tower. Joel Francis (Faringdon) designed both posters. http://www.redskycreative-epublishing.co/
Karen Vogt designed the art work for the frame
The noticeboard was funded from an Arts fund from housing developers and the Tesco Bags of life grant fund. Karen Vogt designed the art work.
See picture
Planning application to excavate sand from Folly Hill - 6/4/18
Don't panic- it was refused in 1987
See the article in the paper
Please do 'like' the Folly facebook page to keep up to date
Ed
Grants for Community groups from VWHDC - 6/4/18
See http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/services-and-advice/community-advice-and-support/grants
Dentistry survey - 6/4/18
Healthwatch Oxfordshire are running a survey to find out people’s views and experience of NHS dentistry across Oxfordshire.
Do you use a dentist? Have you had trouble finding an NHS dentist? Do you never go? What’s the service like in your area?
Let us know your views on NHS Dentistry across Oxfordshire, by filling in our short survey at the link below.
https://healthwatchoxfordshire.co.uk/filling-the-gaps-your-views-on-nhs-dentistry-in-oxfordshire/
Notes from FTC Communities and Partnerships meeting 4/4/18 - 5/4/18
1 The Place (Children's centre) will be up and running very soon
2 There is now a defibrillator at the Fire Station
3 Faringdon Day Centre. ( Keith Thrower)
OCC ( Oxfordshire County Council) have cut funding and closed a number of Day Centres ( including Oakwood)
A transition grant has been awarded to Faringdon Day Centre (Bromsgrove) and this, with payments from those who attend (based on minimum 12 people per session, Mon, Thurs) , grants from Tesco, Waitrose, Faringdon United Charities and Rotary will be sufficient for the coming year. Around £21000 pa is needed.
- Transport for severely disabled people continues to be problematic.
- Volunteers are needed- Drivers and at the Day centre sessions
5 VWHDC was planning to allocate 106 money from the Highworth Road development to the Wantage Day Centre. FTC have pointed out there is a Day Centre in Faringdon as they didn't appear to know.
6 A Youth Challenge project (14yrs-26) involving community events and citizenship is about to be announced
7 A policy document on how Groups in the town can apply for funding Youth projects has been agreed
8 A community engagement policy for this committee is to be defined
9 A public meeting is to be arranged to tell residents what has been achieved over recent years, and what is still to be done. The aim will be to form action groups to take forward as many projects as possible.
10 Regent Cinema. Issues with the Cinema and projection equipment have been resolved.
- Special screenings are provided for residents of Ferendune, the Memory clinic and the Day Centre.
- An outdoor cinema event via Skylive is planned
- Projection equipment in the Corn Exchange can be hired . ( though due to licensing restrictions not to show films or TV productions)
- The cinema is thriving
12 A tapestry to commemorate 800 years since the Market Charter is being created. It will be hung in the Corn Exchange.
13 Faringdon Dramatic Society is producing a performance to celebrate the 800 Market Charter and 70 years of the Dramatic Society. It will cover the history of Faringdon and will be held at Buscot Park theatre.
- Performances 13-16 June, with a private showing on 12th June.
- It is now problematic for the Drama group to use the Junior School
- A 'black box' style performance venue is much needed
- Litter Pick 7 April
- Civic Service 8th April
- Chilli Market 14 April
- Faringdon in Bloom 23/6, 24/6
- Spring newsletter nearly ready
- Request for an outdoor gym is being investigated
- There will be a film showing of the Royal Wedding
- Seats are needed outside Aldi and Waitrose
- Link to the nativity video is available- soon on FTC website
- The Hare trail is progressing
- Town Meeting 21/5/18
Faringdon Nativity - 4/4/18
The video for the Faringdon Town Nativity is ready and available for viewing at the below link 😊
http://faringdontowncouncil.gov.uk/nativity-video-is-here/
Record Fair - 4/4/18
African Children's Fund, 11 Market Square, Faringdon, SN7 7HL
21st April 2018 09:00-17:00
Free entry
Due to popular demand, we're celebrating the vinyl revival by bringing our Record Fair to Faringdon on Saturday 21st April. We will have hundreds of records for sale on the day, ranging from soul to pop and folk to classical, in 7", 12" and LP formats.
What's more, Citizen Cane has promised to pop along and spin a few tunes to create a party atmosphere!
Invite your friends and make sure you're there early to get your pick of the pops!
01367 244480
SUMMER HOCKEY IN FARINGDON.- 4/4/18
Keep fit over the summer with Hockey training in Faringdon.
We plan to meet weekly from May to September and run fun training sessions for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
No previous experience needed and we can provide sticks and balls as well.
Spread the news and bring a friend or two as well.
Please e-mail, text or call to register your interest.
neil.mantle@btinternet.com
07740 938096
A thought just crossed my mind ( no it wasn't a long journey).- 3/4/18
Just popped into McColls to post a letter (not for the faint hearted), firstly after getting through the door I couldn't go further into the shop as there was a long queue of people across the doorway waiting to be served at the front counter.
Once through that queue I joined the next queue for the post office bit, several shoppers breaking into our little band of patient stalwarts trying to buy magazines, some even standing there actually reading the contents of their chosen mag, (I know disgraceful behaviour isn't it) some were also trying to look at packaging and bubble wrap on the other side of the aisle, we small band of post office users almost linked arms to stop the intruders but to no avail our ranks were broken into on several occasions.
Eventually I was served by friendly PO staff and my effort to leave the store was just as time consuming and tedious as trying to get in. Boxes were in the way on the floor, shoppers looking at greetings cards/wine/chocolates/toys blocked the way I managed to swerve around and in my now panicked state of mind( I loathe mazes) I could see the light coming in through the doors......only once again having to run the gauntlet of getting through the queue across the exit, the glaring eyes bore into my head as I excused my way through them I managed to exit....phew!
Now, as McColls seem to want be all things to all shoppers, newspaper shop, grocery shop, post office, toy shop and off licence wouldn't it make sense for them to take over what was the Budgens store, surely it could be all spread out to make shopping in there more enjoyable, the post office could be a much more staff and customer friendly place (seeing as we have to use the post office as a bank soon it could be so much better) either that or for pity's sake de clutter the existing store, everywhere in there is log jammed by either other shoppers or poorly thought out shelving and stands all serving as a hazard, as it is at the moment the layout just doesn't make anyone want to voluntarily go in and shop. We use it because we have to, not because we want to.
Name supplied
WANTED By Faringdon Bowling Club- 3/4/18
Ladies and Men of all ages to play Lawn Bowls in a friendly atmosphere. No previous experience needed as free coaching is available.
Other activities include weekly ladies Keep Fit class, fortnightly Coffee Mornings, monthly Sunday lunches, regular social evenings and weekly Friday Club Night with bar available.
Why not come along to one of our Friday evening bowls taster sessions starting 20th, April. Bowls is a great way to make new friends and to keep fit
For more information please contact the Membership Secretary, Trevor Durrant, on 01793 330564 or email trevor.durrant1@ntlworld.com
Faringdon Bowling Club Gravel Walk, Faringdon, SN7 7JN
Tel: 01367 242649
Lost- bunch of keys - 1/4/18
The keys were lost early Easter sunday morning in the Coxwell Rd./Street, Park Road, Marlborough Gardens, Costcutter area.
If found please hand them in to Gary at Costcutters.
Thankyou
Lechlade Road - 31/3/18
The new road surface on the Lechlade road is brilliant, but why oh why did they have to put those stupid humps back in,
It can't be for traffic calming because vehicles still drive through there too fast.
Name supplied
TalkTalk- 29/3/17
Have other Talk Talk users in Faringdon had internet and telephone issues on Tuesday and Wednesday this week?
Name supplied
False rumours - 29/3/18
The Cobblers and the Toy Shop in the Cornmarket are NOT closing
Ed
News from the White Horse Medical Practice- 27/3/18
Lots to read- Building changes, evening and weekend appointments, online diagnosis, screening and more - all in the Spring 2018 newsletter http://www.whitehorsepracticeppg.org.uk/news--your-views.html
Carpenter wanted - 25/3/18
Does anyone know a good carpenter in faringdon?
Many thanks
Annabelle.lilly@hotmail.co.uk
FARINGDON 'SAVE OUR COMMUNITY' EVENT - 23/3/18
Support a local business, enjoy a good 'ole natter face to face and hear from someone who has been there and done, what we as a community, are hoping to achieve in Faringdon. What's not to like?
- Date: Tues 17th April
- Time: 6.45pm
- Cost: £2 (inc. first coffee/tea))
Jane, owner of Stay Grounded in the Market Place, has kindly agreed to open especially for the event and is providing her delicious coffee and tea at a set price of *£2 (payment on the door) - depending on your 'usual' that's a huge discount!
Places are limited to 25 max. and will be offered on a first come, first served on the night. So please arrive early to avoid disappointment.
The event will finish promptly at 9pm.
Please spread the word with anyone not on Facebook.
*Applies to first drink only.
See poster
Community Litter Pick - 21/3/18
7th April 2018
2-5pm Meet at The Old Town Hall
further details please email rebekah@faringdontowncouncil.gov.uk
See poster board
New Noticeboard in Market Square - 21/3/18
Have you seen the new noticeboard in the Market Square, near Marriotts. On one side there is a lovely picture of the Folly which hopefully will be seen by visitors to Faringdon and on the other side a timeline of key events in Faringdon's history. The posters are set in a frame of artistic laser cut steel silhouettes of the main buildings in Faringdon with adjoining panels with motifs relating to the Folly and the town. These include animals, birds and trees found on Folly Hill and the star and flag that sit on top of the Folly Tower. See if you can find them.
The noticeboard was funded from an Arts fund from housing developers and the Tesco Bags of life grant fund. Karen Vogt designed the art work.
Litter on Folly Park View - 19/3/18
On Saturday I chatted to a man who was clearing weeds and rubbish from the circular footpath that goes from Southhampton Street to the NHS surgery. He said that everywhere is such a mess that he had decided to start on improving the environment and hoped the idea may spread. I hate all the litter that is dropped around the town so decided to try to help.
I live on the Folly Park View estate so I will be putting up notices in the estate notice boards to see if anyone would join with me to make a start on picking up litter on the estate. Faringdon is a lovely town and this estate is quite nice too and it is a great shame that litter, dog poo bags and mess spoil everywhere. Councils are underfunded these days and do not have the money to do everything so let us have a go ourselves.
if interested phone Mary on 01367 242410.
Faringdon Refill- A Zero Waste Wholefood Coop - 19/3/18
I know a lot of people are concerned about ways to reduce plastic waste.
There's a group of us in the process of setting up a refill stall/pop up shop in Faringdon selling loose wholefoods (eg, pasta, rice, cereal).
If anyone would like to be involved in the project, you would be welcome to join our group https://www.facebook.com/groups/515167168884312/?fref=gs&dti=2215583620&hc_location=group
Helen Brown
Anyone know John Vine? - 18/3/18
In the 1970's my sport was judo. My instructor was John Vine from Faringdon.I believe john had cine film of me competing and I would love to be able to show these to my grandchildren. I lost touch with John and his family (wife Bette and daughter Sue) many years ago and not sure if they are even alive now, but if anybody knows the whereabouts of these films, even if they have been destroyed, I would love to know. Thank you. My surname was Lacey. foxclem45@aol.com
Rowena Fox
Getting the word out about your event- 16/3/18
I've just come across Whats On advisor website - just enter details of your event- free. I put Folly Tower Open days on a number of this these sort of sites- no idea which is best- but the support guy for this one is noticeably responsive.
Ed
Budgens- 16/3/18
An indoor market is a good idea- with affordable rent for small businesses it could work- as long as whoever owns the building gets enough income. Seems highly likely that Faringdon will never have the selection of individual shops it once had- society has changed too much- online shopping, we expect good prices and wide selection, working women, eating ready meals and takeaways.
Another thought- when Carters extended the shop in the 1970s, they added the warehouse type building on the back . I guess this is not a valuable part of the building, but it does sit on what could possibly be a valuable site for redevelopment.
Local Yokel
Budgens etc- 15/3/18
A nice idea, to turn it into an indoor market. (though I did wonder whether the co-op would take it on, as they did in Bampton). I think we have to accept that Faringdon will not be a shopping hub - it seems to be going the same way as other small towns in that department. Stanford used to have lots of shops too, in the olden days.
I do think we could do more to encourage visitors, though, especially in stressing the history of the town rather than any more barminess. It used to be a very busy coaching town - perhaps the hotels would help in bigging this up to encourage people top stay there. As so many shops are closing I would like to suggest that the Information Centre is moved back into a shop and made more welcoming. I have met visitors to the town who did not know there was an information centre!
And what about the Pump House, while we are about it - a historic building with nothing to say what it is, or what goes on there. Faringdon is unique architecturally, having some Cotstwold-type buildings and some in the Vale style. One person stopped me to ask where the colourful houses were - he must have heard of them from somewhere.
Congratulations on the whole page article on the Folly in this week's Oxford Times. We ought to give more thought to publicising things like events. Perhaps we could think of more events other than pop music to draw visitors in. How about an event which would be unique to Faringdon - a moaning competition. We could have two types, both of which would consist of people competing to moan for one minute without repetition or hesitation, but one type would be for contestants who were happy to give their names, and one for people who could give false names as long as they dressed up and wore a mask.
Mary Beck
Faringdon - 15/3/18
I doubt very much that Faringdon will die. Over the years since it was awarded its charter it has changed and changed again. We no longer sell sheep in the market place. The town will just evolve.
Green Witch
Pop up Concert - 15/3/18
Wednesday 21st March The Catholic Church Marlborough St Faringdon SN7 7JE.
Doors open 7.15pm (drinks available)
Concert starts 8pm.
Performances by:
- Ferndale Choir
- The Half Penny Bridge Singers
- Peter and Liz Cowdrey (piano and violin)
- Louise Woodgate and Philp Blacker (sax), Geoff Smith (piano) Max Young and more….
Budgens and afterwards - 15/3/18
I've been a regular at Budgens, even years before it was Budgens, and will miss having a town centre grocery shop. I've no idea who owns the building, or what they intend for the site, but I wonder if there's any mileage in turning it into an indoor market. I had in mind a food market, perhaps with local producers renting stalls along side specialist food sellers. Perhaps the farmers' market movement might be interested in exploring the idea. The town centre is getting sidelined. A covered market might help.
John King
Vale vision - 15/3/18
We have just had a flyer through the door headed ‘Vale Vision’ produced by the conservatives.
Item 3 is headed ‘supporting our market towns’ and shows a photograph of Faringdon town centre.
With Faringdon town centre closing down very fast, and with the growth of supermarket giants on the edge of town, I would be interested to know what support and help they have given to local small traders and businesses for them to be able to continue to trade.
My view is, not very much, unless of course you need a haircut, then you are spoilt for choice.
Name and address supplied.
Lechlade Road Closure - 15/3/18
Rather than "idiotic" as hysterically described by "Name and address supplied" 13/3, I would think the decision to resurface during the night is a sensible one. When Church Street was closed at night for resurfacing, the residents were full of praise for the quick,efficient and quiet way the work was carried out. As "Name supplied" points out in a later posting "How else is the work to be done?"
Yet another example of News and Views being used to hurl abuse and then hiding behind a nom-de -plum. I'm surprised our esteemed editor allows it.
Dennis Haynes
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You can read talking points back to 2002. Quite interesting to see whether issues are still the same now as in the past.
You can read talking points back to 2002. Quite interesting to see whether issues are still the same now as in the past.
