Sorry "name supplied" the new FTC website was not as a result of your urging. We have been planning this for some months as part of the project to improve our communications with the whole Town and organisations within the Town.
We need to improve and will do so. Watch out for the new newsletters and for chairs of committees talking to any groups that ask them to.
Also watch out for the article on how to become a councillor in the Folly this month.
If any organisation or group of residents wants to invite a chair of a committee (or councillor) to talk to them about how the council works and what it does please contact the Town Clerk at www.june@faringdontowncouncil.gov.uk and she can arrange it.
Its nice to know that you are interested.
Alan Hickmore
On 27th October I suggested we should spend our pennies on a decent website and today we have one.
Please don't ruin my day by saying it is a coincidence. I particularly like the map.
I hope Father Christmas pays the same notice to the letter I will be sending up the chimney.
Name Supplied
It's just been put live- have a look at www.faringdontowncouncil.gov.uk - not a .gov site now.
Still more info to go on there( and council staff are awaiting training), but now minutes and agendas will be published in a more timely way.
Hooray
Gene Webb
| Spooky evening in the Tower -
28/10/08 Background Nov 5th 2010 will be the 75th Anniversary of the construction of the Folly Tower and we want to do something special to mark the event. For safety reasons we don't want to have a bonfire or fireworks and have decided instead to focus on a Halloween Evening. The idea came from one of our 'Friends of the Folly' who had tried lots of different formats for Halloween and the most exciting one by far was to take torches into the woodland in the dark. The children loved it! So, in the build-up to 2010 we will start this year with our very first Folly Tower Halloween Evening. This Year's Event. The Belvedere Room at the top of the famous Faringdon Folly Tower will have a Halloween theme with lots of spooky music. We will also have lights shining from the top of the Tower onto the surrounding trees and the outside of the Tower will be illuminated. The view from the top of the Tower will be fantastic and of course, we also suggest that visitors bring a torch to explore the woodland in the dark! It will be a bit spooky for the children - but not too spooky - and the parents should also have a fun evening. |
 |
HALLOWEEN SPECIAL Climb the Tower at Night It will be SPOOKY! Friday 31st October 6.00pm till 8.00pm Adults £1, Children 11-16 20p, Children under 11 free For more information call 01367 241142 or enquiries@faringdonfolly.org.uk Faringdon Folly Tower Trust – registered Charity No: 284795 www.faringdonfolly.org.uk |
Anyone else been cold called, in person, by an Npower representative? I was, last night, and was disgusted that he attempted to gain access to my property to check my 'supply numbers' which I initially understood to mean 'read your meters' ... until it dawned on me that I wasn't an Npower customer.
It left me wondering how many other people had misunderstood his spiel and allowed him access, only to be hard sold
Npower as an alternative energy provider. Npower should be ashamed of themselves using unethical and underhand selling techniques. They were exposed by The Sunday Times back in April and it looks like they're at it again. http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/utilities/article3690034.ece
I, for one, wish doorstep selling in this country were outlawed.
Mrs Angry
As someone who regularly cycles from Faringdon to Shrivenham, a cycle route including a foot bridge would be very welcome.
At present, I have to go through the town centre and along Coxwell Road, which is quite difficult due to the number of cars parked on the road.
I appreciate I may be in the minority but would like to lend my support to this idea.
Name Supplied
Tony. Thank you for your 'response' to my recent post. Unfortunately you forgot to include the Cipher key.
Ivor
I was walking my two dogs around wickelsham last week. When a large bridle dog attacked both of my dogs pick my terrier up and shook it.
I have spoke to the lady owner before and she claimed she was only playing. Since then I have spoken to too other dog owners who said the dog has attacked there dogs.
So if the lady who owns this this dog reads this forum please keep your dog under control on a lead before somebodys dog or child is attacked. As this was a very unpleasant for me and my dogs.
Name Supplied
My suggestion is that we buy one of Swindons redundant speed cameras on e bay, fire it up to go off every ten minutes, (thats about how often someone uses the bus lane illegally) then use the photos as evidence to give them hefty fines, then hey presto, there will soon be enough money to dig it all up and put it back to its original state (you know, the days when you could park to nip into the bank).
Chris Higgs
Thank you, Al for the Faringdon Flickr hint.
Fantastic!
Thanks again.
Name Supplied
P.S may not know her "theres" from her "theirs" but perhaps her comments are intended to encourage more knowledgeable members of the community to comment on matters which should concern us.
It is obvious that most of us have no idea what goes on at Council Meetings and the little information we do get is usually provided by our Ed who is prepared to listen to what is being decided until the "Pas devant les enfants" rule is invoked when the Corn Exchange Lease is discussed.
Perhaps if we have money to spend a decent informative website should be top of the list.
The latest Planning and Highways minutes are dated 11th March and state "These are draft minutes yet to be approved by Committee"
Name Supplied
A bridge over the A420, a cable car from the Folly Tower and now a £450 grant for The Poetry Competition. What next? Whatever it is no one can complain that our council is afraid to support new ideas !
Rumour has it that from next summer The LA based Culturvultur Tour operators are planning to include Faringdon in there itinerary
It is to be hoped that the Council guarantees that they don't come on Tuesdays when the Market is in full swing and that they are not allowed to use coaches which are any longer than the Stretch Coaches favoured by our present bus providers
Phyllis Stein
Like other posters, I feel this would be a complete waste of council tax payers' money.
Would not the loot be far better spent on installing traffic lights in the town centre in place of the constantly abused "give way" sign outside Haine & Smith's which few motorists ever take any notice of ?
I have lost count of the number of times that cars ignoring this have forced myself and other motorists up onto the pavement to avoid collisions.
A permanent red traffic light would also be far more effective at stopping the countless rogue drivers who also ignore the sign denoting the bus only lane.
What does anyone else think ?
Name Supplied
Bollards stupid your not suposed to leapfrog them serves you rigt why dint you take a chainsaw with you ha ha lauhg you shoudnt breed if your that stupid anyway
Tony
Has anyone else lost their freeview signal today ?
I was in the middle of watching a programme and it just went and now I can't get it back.
Just wondered if it was a local signal problem or with my reciever..
name supplied
Ed(GW) Mine is OK(at 1714)
Those decorative lumps of wood may be to low to be seen by reversing van drivers but they are just the right height to do some serious damage to innocent drunks attempting to navigate their way from the Crown to the Kebab shop of a Friday night. Sue the Council for loss of fertility as well.
Ivor Soresack
Have a look at hy council minutes extracts.htm. These are notes that John Gillman has made from old Town Council minutes - going back to 1929
Still some of the same old subjects
Thanks John
Gene Webb
Not much to report - I was asked to leave when the Corn Exchange lease was discussed - it seems the details are commercially sensitive.
SSSI land.
The builder Ede has been made aware of the approx. 3m encroachment of the gardens of house that back onto the path. It was mentioned that a piece of land above the SSSI may also be transfered to the town.
The ownership of the land has yet to be transfered to the Town Council. There was no mention of why it was taking so long.
The new Town Council website will be up and running at the end of October - or so the council have been told by the developer
FTC have money invested with the bank of Ireland, but NOT Iceland. This years precept has just been received(£120k) and will be put into the bank of Ireland., but all accounts are to be reviewed, given the economic situation.
(It was mentioned that VWHDC hav £1m in Iceland, and Oxfordshire CC £5m)
£30k, the first tranch of 106 money from Bloor Homes, is imminent. there was no discussion as to what this would be spent on.
Faringdon Poetry competition has been awarded a grant of £450
Gene Webb
I saw a lovely silver transit van reversing into a wooden bollard in the market place due to a bus not being able to swing around to go up Marlborough Street
The van driver heading towards London Street had no choice but to reverse into the silly little bollard, which was obviously too low for him to see.
Sue the council for the damage to your van mate!!!
Chris Higgs
High Finance
I admit I know very little about looking after large sums of money. I know even less than the Government or the Financial Services Authority...probably. I understand that China is suffering from the Credit Crunch and now has only three trillion pounds in its Piggy Bank. I'm not sure what three trillion pounds looks like but it sounds like quite a lot. I understand that GB ( does that stand for Gordon Brown or Great Britain ?) is going to borrow five billion pounds, maybe from China, to ensure that City Bigwigs still get their Bonuses but small shareholders, sadly, will have to lose their dividends. As there are more small shareholders than City Bigwigs I suppose that makes sense .or does it ?
Low Finance
I do know something about this
Throughout my working life I paid various taxes.Yes ! I know that if I had been rich enough I could have avoided most of these, but I wasn't, so I didn't.
Now as a pensioner I get money paid into my bank and the nice people at the bank transfer just under half to the equally Nice Council Tax People (NCTP). I assumed that the NCTP spent it on necessities like painting white lines round potholes. I must admit I hadn't realised they also put millions into Banks in Iceland (I had heard about Frozen Assets but didn't bother to find out what it meant)
Now I read, on this excellent website, that we may be getting a bridge across the A420.
I know that some time ago there was a proposal to build a Funicular Railway from the top of the Folly Tower to the Market Place as a Tourist Attraction but a bridge almost a mile from the Town Centre would not have the same appeal.
What is going on ?
Puzzled Pensioner
I take a run with dog which means crossing A420 fairly regularly and I never had any trouble crossing. I have more problems crossing the road locally in town mostly due to inconsiderate parking on pavements and cars exceeding the speed limit.
Foot bridge over the A420 seems extreme when money would be better spent on making sure parking and speed limits are enforced where more pedestrians are present.
Name Supplied
Nothing to do with town planning, it's that ridiculous bus company Stagecoach who run the less than 3rd rate bus service that "services" Faringdon.
Obviously the idiot who does their planning didn't think about the difficulties that these bigger buses would face in small spaces in towns and villages! They don't need bigger buses to cram everyone onto, they need MORE buses!
Everybody crams onto one bus because they know they can't get to work on time if they dont because there isn't another one that comes along at a sensible time to suit the rush hours.
Trish Reynolds
Sat 29 November @ The Crown
What a way to end the festive Faringdon celebrations 3 of Faringdon's finest all for a £5.
The return of Zen Pigs, with support from Disclosure and The Lucky Generals.
Tickets soon to be available from The Crown or me. Enquiries fbpromotions@tiscali.co.uk
In response to posting photographs of Faringdon and district, there's a group of over 40 photographers with local connections who have already posted well over 800 images to www.flickr.com/groups/faringdon
It's a wide and diverse range of images and people are free to join this group and post their own as well as comment on the pictures. (It requires opening a free yahoo account.)
Al Cane - (one of the Flickr 43)
Simon thinks a bridge across the A420 would not be the best way to spend some of our council tax but it seems it is being seriously considered.
So just for the record... I agree with him.
HGM
I dont think a bridge over the a420 is value for money.
What wrong with the good old green cross code,
Sure it is busy but really a footbridge seems too much for so little use.
If we need a footbridge over the a420 for dog walkers runners etc, then we must need a footbridge over park road for school children .
Just my thoughts
simon
Do you think it would be nice to have a picture gallery here where anyone could add pictures from and around our lovely Faringdon?
I think it would be lovely to show people some interesting and creative snaps of the area.
Hope to see the gallery soon!
Name Supplied
Ed(GW) Good idea - but we don't have the know how or technology to allow people to upload pictures directly. Will look into it though. Is there a techy willing to help?
Meeting Notes. 20/10/08
The council's strategy for Faringdon document is being finalised
Tesco- report from Nick Elwell(Chairman of Chamber of Commerce)
Tesco have bought JDS and some surrounding plots.
The chamber of commerce is working with Budgens against Tesco (or any big supermarket) coming into Faringdon. There will be a questionnaire sent to every household, asking what they want in town, hopefully during November
A survey has indicated(I'm not not sure where from) that Budgens is about 8% more expensive than Sainsburies.
Budgens are considering spending c £3m to upgrade the shop
It is rumoured that Tesco have bought the Snooty Fox premises at Littleworth
Focus on Faringdon - a community interest company (CIC)- report by Nick Elwell
Working closely with Faringdon Area Project
Current projects(based on the updated Healthcheck Action Plan)
- cycle path to Shrivenham
- Performance venue in Park Road within 5 years(A site has been identified)
- Skate Park (near new cricket and rugby pitch)
Find out more about CICs from http://www.cicregulator.gov.uk/faq.shtml. Focus on Faringdon reference is 06536016
Reports from other meetings
FAR are trying to get the Traffic Advisory Committee to put a speed sensitive sign on Park Road. It seems this is not considered a priority. Such a sign, with installation would cost between £3k and £5k. A firm decision is expected by the end of October
Through JET, a survey of the All Saints Church yard tombs and monuments has been completed. The restoration work will commence when the ivy has been removed.
The war memorial boards will be taken down and cleaned and restored in time for Armistice day
Planning
- the (Red House) development on Coxwell road is to start
- access to the new development (ref 08/00778/OUT) on Fernham Road will be onto Coxwell Road
A new union flag now flys on the Pump House
Next meeting 19/1/09, Old Town Hall, 1930
In response to Lynn Mander's comment about a foot-bridge, Focus on Faringdon CIC is planning to develop various cycle routes - including a bridge across the A420.
If anyone has an interest in helping drive this project forward please contact Jane Haynes or Nick Elwell on 01367241162
Edward (& Mojo) are emigrating and I'm unable to take all my books.
So if you fancy a browse of science fiction, 2000AD, architecture and some technical books please pop round to 10 Walnut Court (off Bromsgrove) and have a browse.
tel: 07714 260713 email: ejpguerra@yahoo.com
Please can Hilary or Sam put out a message about rehearsal times/day and performance of the scratch Messiah.
I'm interested but don't have every evening free.
Joan
Ed(GW) Spoke to Sam today - they'll set a date when they know there are enough people interested - so do contact them 01367 243806
Lord Berners: Composer, Writer, Painter by Peter Dickinson £25.00
Hardback 176 pages
Date of publication: 18/09/2008
Publisher: The Boydell Press
ISBN: 9781843833925
Can anyone shed some light on the reason behind the recent early morning flights of helicopters Over folly hill?
Much noiser than the local owl population.
Thanks
Name Supplied
As far as I know all the allotments are currently rented. Any allotmenteers who hadn't cultivated their plots for a while were sent a letter earlier this year basically saying use it or lose it. (I was one of those who received such a letter, embarrassing since I'd helped instigate the suggestion).
In defence of the seemingly uncultivated plots, it is possibly the case that someone has taken over a plot that has not been cultivated for years, and it takes a long time to get it to a state where veggies can be grown. As was my case.
My plot is now in cultivation, although it had to be cleared of a lot of debris that the previous incumbent left behind, together with marestail, couch grass and self-seeded vegetables!
This has taken 18 months to achieve.
I've walked all over the site and can't find a "large" plot fitting the description of a dump. There are a few small sites where stuff can be dumped for collection.
Jane Boulton
In Faringdon Area Project's new Healthcheck Action Plan, there is a project to develop a cycle route from Faringdon to Shrivenham. This would include building a bridge to cross the A420 as mentioned in Lynn Manders recent posting.
Focus on Faringdon is currently working on this project and would like to talk to anyone who is interested in helping or finding out more.
Please contact Jane Haynes on 08456 580 510 or email jane.haynes@bordengate.com
Yes, there does appear to be many allotments that aren't worked. Some it seems, have been unused for years.
Also, I've seen one large plot which isn't used for growing anything at all. Instead it appears to be a 'tip' for somebodys gardening business and all that seems to happen is that large amounts of garden waste gets dumped there.
Surely not what the land was intended for. This person should be using the Stanford tip and the allotment should be for growing vegetables.
Name Supplied
There are two sources of allotments at the Canada Lane site. One is the Town Council and the other is the National Trust. The sites are next to each other.
The best contact would be Christina Field who took over from her late husband as secretary of the Allotment Association.
Her plot is the one where the main access turns and has a sign on her shed re the association.
In addition, the Willes Close Triangle is about to be turned into new allotments and will (I hope) shorten the waiting lists.
Jane Boulton (Chairman of Recreation & Open Spaces Committee) Town Councillor
Ed(GW) I've heard it said that there are a number of allotments that are not being worked. Is there a plan to move these to people on the waiting list who will work on them
I am from Abingdon and Witney College Performing arts and we are doing a show in December, which requires a number of 1950/60's style household items
As well as small side tables and cupboards I am also looking for Oven & hob combo (4rings small) - Gas or electric and a Gas fire.
If you know of anyone with one being chucked out or could suggest somewhere let me know on
01235216449 (9-5 mon - friday)
Tom
Just a quick note to let everyone know that the park and ride parking fee is now free.
This started on the 1st of October 2008.
Julie Farmer
Ed(GW) I guess you mean in Oxford Julie?
Thanks for the replies. I've found a home for these.
Rachel
Coleshill Community shop opens from 10.30 until 1630, weekdays.
Maybe you are willing to spend some of your time to help man the shop. It could be a couple of hours on a regular basis, or to cover holidays and sickness.
It's a great shop - super home made and organic foods, great(fairtrade) coffee
Call 01793 763618, or 01793 764637 to find out more
Adapted by Keith Dewhurst from Flora Thompson's trilogy "Lark Rise to Candleford"
Thurs 6th Nov, Fri 7th Nov, Sat 8th Nov, Faringdon Junior School, Gloucester Street, Faringdon. Curtain 7.30pm.
Tickets £7.00 of £5.00 for Concessions available from The Nut Tree, Cornmarket, Faringdon.
www.faringdramatic.org.uk
Affiliated to NODA
Is there anybody else that wonders, like me, why there is not a pedestrian foot bridge from the Faringdon side of the bypass over to Wicklesham?
As a runner I take the risk of crossing the bypass to enjoy running the footpaths on the Wicklesham side.
"More fool her" I hear some of you say, but on my runs I see Faringdon families mountain biking, Faringdon ladies walking and Faringdon dog owners, dog walking, who have had to take the same risk to enjoy the footpaths in beautiful countryside.
I'm sure many more people would do the same if there was a safe way of getting across the bypass!!
Anyone who knows who to contact with regard to this please reply.
Lynn Mander
I have a bag of fabric oddments that would be ideal for someone who 'makes crafty things'.
Is there anyone out there who can make use of them?
Please contact me on rachelehopper@btinternet.com
This seems to be happening a lot but I am not sure that it is fair to blame the planners - it is happening because there is a new kind of bigger/longer bus.
I am told by 2 people I know who commute to Oxford on the bus that they have been gradually getting more crowded over the past 6 months which may be to do with the cost of petrol/cost of owning a car etc - and they are pleased that the buses are bigger because sometimes people were having to stand all the way to Oxford (50 minutes in the rush hour).
Perhaps the new buses are also easier to get on to for those with pushchairs or disabilities.
But presumably the bus company didn't check to see if they could get their buses round the corners of the market place in Faringdon.
I feel rather sorry for the bus drivers, as the problem seems to be caused by people in cars coming through the centre of town and not foreseeing what's about to happen when they try and whizz through the narrows as a bus is coming round the corner from the market square.
Hey-ho.
Name Supplied
To celebrate this event charities and schools all over the country during the coming week will be holding events to bring the country's attention to this incrediably important UN organisation.
What are we doing in Faringdon?
On Friday 17th October 7.30pm African Children's Fund and The Porridge Club are holding an evening of GOOD FOOD, TALK, GOOD MUSIC and DANCING in the Corn Exchange
After supper, speaker will be Bill Rennells of BBC Radio Oxford
Tickets are £10 and available from the African Children's Fund Shop and from the Community and Tourist Information Centre both of which are in the Market Place.
Everybody will be made very welcome, please if possible buy your tickets asap.
Alison Moore
We have opened our Charity Christmas card shop selling cards from more than 25 National charities. Cards for Good Causes sell cards across the country.
The shop within the Community and Tourist Information Centre is one of a national network of shops.
Over the last five years the charities have received £20 million from Cards for Good Causes for their Christmas cards sales.
Because Cards for Good Causes keeps its operating costs to an absolute minimum, charities receive at least 79p in every pound from their cards sales from which they have to pay for production, distribution and any applicable VAT.
The shop is open from 9.30am to 2pm Monday to Saturday.
Look out for the red triangular Santa sign!
This year we will also be having a local card, entered taken by a local man in response to a competition, supporting The Folly Trust and The Family Centre. Available in packs of 6 and singly.
Just seen (for the second day running) a bus stuck trying to get into cornmarket from Market Place.
Day before yesterday the bus waited ten minutes - I was on it - before it could negotiate round that corner.
I suppose that Stagecoach will simply stop the buses coming round to the Market Place at all, and send them up Station road instead.
Thankyou town/traffic planners, for your inept town centre design.
I wonder if local authorities will ever consider practicality and common sense before dogma and theory.
Name Supplied
Ideally a shoebox should contain items from each category regardless of the age of the child.
Clothing - hat, mittens/gloves, scarf, socks
Stationery - paper, pencils, crayons, felt tip or gel pens, rubber, sharpener, pencil case
Stimulating games and toys -ball, Frisbee, bat and ball, dominoes, ludo, jacks, mouth organ, recorder, hand or finger puppet, Snap or similar card game (NOT playing cards), yoyo
Cuddly toy - teddy, TV or Disney character, toy animal
Hygiene items - toothbrush and paste, wrapped soap, flannel or sponge, brush, comb, sponge bag
Sweets - wrapped sweets (at least March of next year sell-by date and NOT chocolate)
Miscellaneous items - photo of yourself and greeting card
Girls 2-4 - small bag, ribbons, hair bobbles or slides, skipping rope, doll with clothes. simple puzzle, picture book
Boys 2-4 - truck, car, farm animals, tractor, simple puzzle, picture book
Girls 5-9 - anything sparkly, craft kit, stickers, purse, small bag, jewellery, hair things
Boys 5-9 -sunglasses, "red nose", anything to do with football, badges, Lego kit, finger skateboard, spinning top,
Girls 10-14 - anything pretty or sparkly, make up, nail varnish, geometry set, calculator, diary, jewellery, hair things, craft kit, sewing kit, stickers, purse, tights, notepaper/pad
Boys 10-14 -gent's tie, large hankies (bandana), kit bag, sunglasses, "red nose", small cars, torch, anything to do with football -stickers, badges or cards, key ring, juggling balls
Leaflets are available from the library, Mustard Seed, Dawn's, G and G butchers, The Really Useful Shop, the dry cleaners and the United Church.
Ann Jerome
Any people interested in performing? Performance in December.
please contact Hilary or Sam on 01367 243806.
www.maddfaringdon.co.uk
During my life I was vilified because of my assertion that Homo Sapiens had Simian ancestors.
Surely the existence of throwbacks like Tony proves my theory beyond doubt
Charles R Darwin (Deceased)
Many years ago, I had the pleasure of having an allotment situated next to Canada Lane. Sadly, due to work commitments, I was unable to maintain it and had to let it go. I am in a position now to be able to work one again and friends of mine have expressed an interest in joining me, the motivation being great fresh produce, keeping an element of fitness as well as the social aspect.
Having walked around the many sites recently, my wife and I saw that many had not been worked on at all and were obviously totally unused. So, with that in mind we felt that we would have no problem in getting one in the near future. This is proving to be not the case.
We can go via the Allotment Association or the Town Council (we have been told). Apparently there is a waiting list until next year.
When I suggested that there were many sites left untendered, I was curtly told that this was not the case at all, therefore my plea is for anybody who has one available in the near future to contact me via this site
Ray Hunt
Advanced Notice of Woodland Maintenance
In the next few weeks we will be carrying out maintenance work on the trees which is essential for safety reasons, This will also help to preserve the woodland (and the Tower) for the use and enjoyment of the general public - in particular the inhabitants for Faringdon and surrounding villages.
The work will consist of
· removing some dead-wood from trees close to the footpaths
· thinning out trees to prevent overcrowding and to establish specimen trees for the future
· felling dead trees - and where possible leaving trunks standing for wild life and insects
· constructing woodpiles to encourage wildlife
We hope this work will not interfere with your enjoyment of the woodland If you have any queries or comments please call 01367 241142 or email enquiries@faringdonfolly.org.uk
We would also like to hear from you if you are interested in learning more about becoming a Friend of the Folly Tower
Many thanks
Faringdon Folly Tower Trust - registered Charity No: 284795
www.faringdonfolly.org.uk
Quite right, Tony.
Next year I shall abandon my attempt to promote poetry, and will start offering basic literacy classes instead.
Hilary Taylor.
Just heard it on Radio 4
If the post from Tony is in response to my invitation for posters to join the poetry debate I must apologise to all normal TP readers.
However I don't think anyone could be really as stupid as he appears to be so I can only assume he is joking.
P.S.
Poetrys rubish. Their are enough poncy around here we dont need it.
Tony
I am prepared to read poetry with an open mind, as instructed by Name Supplied, but I don't feel I should also have to approach it with an open dictionary.
Until HGM rather patronisingly told me what a Pantoum was I not only didn't know but I hadn't even heard of it. (And I suspect he only found out by Googling)
What Name Supplied may find even more disturbing is the fact that I am not even ashamed to admit my ignorance .
How do other posters feel ?
Phyllis Stein
Phyllis Stein mocks poetry forms and poetry, but what shows through is how scared she is of something that she doesn't understand, or try to understand.
Forget the tosh about velvet cloaks Hilary, the poets are just people - go and read some poetry instead, with an open mind this time
Name Supplied
Great idea to have pre-wrapped boxes and starter items. However - please could you post up some more information about the Shoe Box Appeal - what kind of items are suitable to put in the boxes, etc.
Then everyone will know what to bring. Thanks!
Name Supplied
Do you know of anyone who may be interesting in enteraining at group of 12 girls (10 years old) at a Birthday Party on Saturday 6 December (am) in the Corn Exchange.
They are too old for a magician but I thought maybe trying to arrange a line dance/country dance or drama person to entertain them for 1 hour.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
cfmlacey@aol.com
The poetry forms she so readily mocks are known to most of us but not every one may be able to give a quick definition. It's a bit like trying to describe a spiral staircase without using your hands. So for those few who are still just a little vague about the exact meanings here is a reminder;
Pantoum. A form of verse in which the second and fourth lines of each four-line verse are repeated as the first and third lines of the following verse.
Sestina A poem of six six-line stanzas and a three-line envoy, with the last words of the first six lines repeated, in different order, at the ends of the other lines.
Sonnet A verse form consisting of 14 lines with a fixed rhyme scheme.
Villanelle. A 19-line poem of fixed form consisting of five tercets and a final quatrain on two rhymes, with the first and third lines of the first tercet repeated alternately as a refrain closing the succeeding stanzas and joined as the final couplet of the quatrain.
Now can we get back to the more important things like Yellow lines and dirty pavements
But I do agree Hilary did a good job
HGM
Thank you very, very much to everyone who has paid for can openers over the past couple of weeks.
It's not too late to buy one/some. They are available to buy to send to Kosovo for just 55p in the Cook Shop in London Street but only until the end of the day on Wednesday 8 October not Friday as I had previously stated as the lorries will be leaving on Thursday.
Many thanks
Sarah Oliver
The organisation of the poetry competition, the sheer tedium of reading over 500 entries not to mention (which I am doing) the costs involved are all ,as far as I am aware down to Hilary Taylor. Yet she thanks the participants.
Just to restore the balance.
Thank you Hil for all your efforts. You have probably put Faringdon on the Global Poets Map and we can expect an influx of people with velvet berets and long cloaks
I have read about 20 of the published list so far and am confident that somewhere among the others I will find a few I can appreciate, for as we are told. " The poems selected this year demonstrate an impressively wide range of technical expertise, and a really satisfying sense of how form can bring content into fresh focus."
I am not proud of the fact that I don't know my pantoums and sonnets from my villanelles and sestinas but even I know it must have taken a great deal of sweat and worry, or whatever is the poetic equivalent, to generate such a far reaching enthusiastic response
So once again
GOOD SHOW HIL
Phyllis Stein
See the results of the Faringdon Online Poetry Competition here. There are links to all the winning poems. Thanks to all of you who took part and supported the competition. There were over 500 entries this year. There will be a poetry event in November, date to be arranged, but details will be on the website in due course
Hilary Taylor
A Press Release from Oxfordshire County Counil
Double yellow lines are to be installed on Swan Lane in Faringdon in the vicinity of the recently constructed Granary Mews and Dove Court development in the town. Swan Lane has a narrow carriageway and parking in the lane hinders the passage of vehicles - a particular problem for the emergency services.
Consultation took place from June 26 to July 25 with those whose properties front on to the part of road that will now have double yellow lines installed.
The Vale of White Horse District Council and Thames Valley Police were also consulted and had no objection to the plan.
Councillor Ian Hudspeth, Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Transport, said: "Given the presence of new housing development in this area I have no doubt that it is a common sense safety move to install double yellow lines on this part of Swan Lane."
Two Mondays 13th and 20th October, the appeal are offering a ready wrapped shoebox and a starter item at the United Church
Talk on her trip to Belarus by Ann Jerome on 14th October in the United Church Hall
Coffee Morning in the Corn Exchange, 1/11/08
Books,toys, bric a brac, good clothes, raffle prizes in aid of Parkinsons Disease and Riding for the disabled
Tel: 01367 241753 or 240130