Faringdon News & Views

faringdon-online community web site home	talking points
	September 2009

Drinking and Drug advice - 30/9/09 A new weekly advice session has started in a mobile unit which visits Faringdon’s Gloucester Street car park and offers a place to go for anyone with concerns about their drinking or drug use. The sessions are on a Thursday from 10.30 am to 12.30pm where key worker Eamon O’Malley is on hand. The private one-to-one room will be available for people to speak confidentially to get advice, have an assessment, or to see a drug or alcohol worker on a regular basis. For further information call the SMART Helpline on 01865 403151
Get yourself some bargain advertising space AND help charity! - 30/9/09 I am editor of In The Vale magazine and for one month only I am auctioning a page in the November issue of the magazine via ebay. The auction is for a full A5 page, full colour advert including ad design - the winning bidder can use it for anything - to promote a business, event or website, to showcase a sports club or pub or other hobby, anything at all! I will also be giving 20% of the sale price to the cancer charity Tenovus. The short link for the auction is http://bit.ly/KPcBS (the full link is http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290354739416&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT) and it closes on Fri 9th October .... so far it's up to £36, but the usual cost is £160 so there's definitely a bargain to be had there! Please do tell people about this auction - the more who bid, the more I can donate to charity! Thanks, Alison
Huge Birthday Bash @ The Old Crown - 30/9/09 Rod Green (Lighting Extraordinaire) & Kate (Landlady) are holding a Joint Birthday Do Saturday 3rd October 2009 Live Music from: The Follys Out of The Blue Al Cane 8pm - Late Free Entry
Re Faringdon Pre School possible closure - 30/9/09 Many thanks to all those who showed their support at last fridays meeting. A new committee has been formed and the pre school has been saved, for now. They are still looking for a manager and another post, it's in your yellow advertiser thing and on internet, so keep on supporting them. Long live the pre school! Antony not Anthony
Budgens' cycle track - 30/9/09 To the previous poster. Why didn't you immediately speak to a member of the management when this cyclist was doing his stuff, instead of raising it on the Town's website. I am sure the management would be happy to take the relevant action, as I know they would not want any legal action being taken. Martin Harries
CPE - 29/9/09 Alas it's all true. In the not too distant future, we shall see our parking offenders' cars clamped and then briskly taken away on big yellow vehicles driven by burly bruisers with earrings (and I don't mean me) and tattoos on each finger spelling out L-O-V-E and H-A-T-E. See how the Market Place 'improvements' have helped the parking situation. Not. (I thought it was a skate park that we were pleading for, not a refurbished market place) It is at least partly the planning authority's fault that parking has become such a mess in the town centre, and it is right that they should clear it up....but as usual, it will be we, the taxpayers, who pay the bill, in every sense. Ms. D. Meenah
Shop n Drop for Kosovo - 29/9/09 The local Rotary Club is involved again this year with the Hope and Aid Direct charity. The charity collects food and hygiene items and delivers them direct to the people in need - in this case those in abject poverty in Kosovo, an area still suffering drastically from the after effects of the Balkan wars. To help with the collections Rotary will be running Shop-n-Drop on Saturday 3rd October from 9.00am to 3.00pm outside Budgens in Faringdon and Coop Swift in Watchfield. The Rotary Club of Wantage will also be collecting from outside Waitrose in Wantage. Please help by purchasing one or two extra food or hygiene items which you can then donate to the charity. All items will then be collected and loaded onto trucks which will be driven in convoy by volunteers to Kosovo. The journey will start later in October and Sarah Oliver from Faringdon will be joining the trip
CPE??? - 28/9/09 This website is famous for the spoof postings so often taken seriously by gullible readers and I have to admit that the item about the so called "CPE, Civil Parking Enforcements" had me fooled. Was it a clever joke making fun of some bureaucratic gobbledygook or was it in fact an explanation of what might happen sometime in the dim and distant future? Sadly it seems, according to Google, that there is a scheme which will eventually hand over the policing of parking problems to the Council. You couldn't make it up ! But until this stupidity becomes Law in Faringdon it seems the Police are responsible for sorting out Parking Infringements so it is not unreasonable to ask them to do their job. If I give my name I reckon I would be the first to be "collared" by our "Bobbies" Name supplied
Faringdon Avon Rep - 28/9/09 Call me on 01367 240826 June
Budgens' cycle track - 29/9/09 This afternoon I encountered a teenager riding her bicycle around Budgens. I gathered from staff that this was not the first time this has happened. Please, manager of Budgens, stop this now. Ban the cycling kids from your store, ban anyone with a bicycle from entering the store, and stop this silly showing off before it results in you being sued when some vulnerable person gets injured. Remember you will have no-one but yourself to blame, as in this idiotic culture we live in, it will be you, not the culprit, nor the company whose video promotion sparked this stupidity, who will be held responsible. name supplied
Start that healthy lifestyle today! - 28/9/09 Does your heart, body and mind need an uplift? No better way to do that than to exercise the most important muscle in your body. You will not only look great but feel even better. So how can we motivate you to come and see the team at Faringdon Leisure Centre? How about the best unlimited membership deal for years...contact us for more information. 01367 241755. Why not just come and have a casual swim or a game of squash on the recently refurbished courts or try out Studio cycling on our new spinning bikes. One visit and you'll be hooked. Don't delay and we'll see you all soon Faringdon Leisure Centre
On street parking enforcement - 28/9/09 Quote from Oxfordshire CC 'Thank you for your enquiry regarding parking enforcement in Faringdon. Oxfordshire County Council has no firm plans at present to extend Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) into the Vale of White Horse District Council area. The county council is currently working with West Oxfordshire District Council to introduce CPE in that district and Cherwell District Council has also asked that we seek these powers for their area. There are no firm plans to extend this to the other two districts at present though there is a general intention to do this in time. Also, within the Traffic Management Act 2004, the government did reserve powers to require the remaining councils that had not introduced CPE to do so. Eventually, therefore, it is very likely that CPE will be introduced in the Vale of White Horse area. When CPE is introduced it is the county council that seeks the authority from the Department for Transport and then passes the responsibility for enforcement to the district council. It will be a decision for the district council as to whether they use an in-house team or a contractor to fulfil this responsibility.' Group Manager - Traffic enforcement Oxfordshire County Council
Number for Avon Rep? - 28/9/09 Would anyone have a contact number for the local Avon rep? I have a brochure, but no contact details. Many thanks Sarah
Boy racer on the old Stanford road - 28/9/09 Boy racer on the old Stanford road between 23:00pm & 23;30pm every night thrashing his car at 60mph from the Nursery view estate. Thank so much for awakening other people up who live here!! so if any body would like to view this selfish idiot in sight before he kills a dog walker/walker you can view him at those times,thank you soo much. Name Supplied
Social housing tenants - more perspective needed - 28/9/09 The previous post regarding 'many burglaries' and the ensuing 'vigilance' required is of course helpful - and I thank the person posting the warning. The problem though, is that the warning carries with it a direct implication that tennants of social housing have a higher probability of committing crimes. This may be so - but a little more thought gives a little more perspective: this kind of judgement (whether from the person posting, the unnamed source or anybody else for that matter) reflects a mindset of inflated self-importance and arrogant superiority, encouraging social division and alienation. The result of value-judgements like these - (typically made by privet-clipping, Daily Mail reading, middle-class comfortable folk who are force-fed ideologically-prescribed Conservative values) - is often the self-fulfilling prophesy of the crime so feared in the first place From a Sovereign housing tennant - therefore, much more likely to be part of a 'trouble' family!
Many burglaries - be vigilant - 25/9/09 I've heard that there has been a spate of burglaries in Faringdon recently - largely late evening and overnight. Perhaps the police are busy dealing with these rather than illegal parking- this will soon be outside their remit anyway. I was told too that Vale Sovereign Housing have accommodated a high number of 'trouble' families in Faringdon. I wonder if there is a connection with the burglaries? Name Supplied
Yet More Parking. - 25/9/09 . Suggesting that the Police should enforce the Law is perfectly reasonable. Reporting an individual, for breaking it, is not. If we all popped notes through the Police Station letterbox every time we spotted a minor infringement of the Law the Police would have to take notice simply because the pile of letters would make it difficult opening their door. Name Supplied
Re Parking. Another whinge. - 25/9/09 . I go to work at 0600 and return at 1830 and the Police Station is only "manned" for a few hours some days each week. Anyway, why the hell should I go to them. They are paid officials who SHOULD do the job they are supposedly paid to do. No brainer, name supplied respondent.
Real Problems in this town - 25/9/09 What exactly are they? You should be thanking your lucky stars that you live in this town, where "real problems" are rare. While the population increases, however, and respect for the law diminishes, so will any problems become more serious/widespread. As per the previous post, if you really have worries why not be the responsible citizen and actually go and discuss them with the people who are able to deal with them? (making sure that you keep a record)If after that things don't improve, then you'll have something to complain about. There are of course many wider issues here; for one, (if we are talking of police) the amount of tedious and unnecessary bureaucracy which accompanies dealing with any incident however insignificant. Try putting pressure on those in authority to dismantle some of that. Sadly, though I guess you'd probably be on a hiding to nowhere with that approach. Athena
Parking - 24/9/09 Lord Haw Haw If you're that worried about it, instead of whingeing on this forum, why not make a complaint, as you're the one who sees the offending vehicle every day. All you have to do is write down details of the vehicle and the place you see it every day, and pop it into the police station. The police will do something about it then. No-brainer, really, isn't it? name supplied.
Another gripe about parking/lack of supervision - 24/9/09 it's unfortunate but i don't think that the police around here care about any real problems in this town! Perhaps it's about time they showed us otherwise. Trish Reynolds
Roadworks Gravel Walk - 24/9/09 Seems they just enjoy causing travel hold ups in Faringdon! Has anyone else noticed that it doesn't appear to be necessary to have the traffic lights up during the hours they are not working? No holes left in the road, no need for the lights. They obviously cannot be bothered to remove them and replace them as necessary, they only need to move them over and turn them round! Hope this fiasco comes to end very soon! Trish Haxham
Barn for Olympic archery training wanted - 24/9/09 To start my preparations for the 2012 Olympics, I'm looking for a place in/near Faringdon that I can do archery training in the evenings (after 7:00pm) over winter. Last year, a farmer was kind enough to loan me one of his barns as and when I needed it but there were a few problems with this setup. Ideally I'd like to use a hall or room (good lighting, heating not so important) and a minimum of 20m is required. But I'm open to any other suggestions, a barn is fine provided it is easily accessible - I just need somewhere to stay out of the wind/rain/snow. If you think you know of someone, please drop me a line. 01367 242890 or grantwomack(at)hotmail.com Grant Womack
Re The Big Stir - 24/9/09 This is to let you know that our annual Worldwide Coffee Morning takes place this Saturday, 26 September at the Old Town Hall in Faringdon. Coffee/Teas cakes etc upstairs and sale of homemade jams, cakes bric a brac etc downstairs. Do hope you will be able to join us as part of this nationwide event to raise money for Macmillan! There are some great raffle prizes too! Bring all your friends! Chris
Another gripe about parking/lack of supervision - 21/9/09 As one who regularly transits Swan Lane, why is the same vehicle parked outside Swan House on the double yellows. I pass it in the morning, and again in the evening. Doesnt move. Obviously the PCSO or a proper constable doesnt come this way or has the VWHDC taken over traffic enforcement? No idea. What I do know is that no one is above the law and the law should be enforced. Lord HawHaw
Dancing Girls at the Portwell Angel - 23/9/09. - Ooh, can I be one, please? It's a long time since I dusted off the sequinned boob tube, leggings and white stilettoes. Note to self - must look out tongs because I'll need them for the 'big hair' again! A new career beckons ... ! FCM
Faringdon Pre School possible closure. - 23/9/09 Due to financial, staffing and resignations from people on the committee Faringdon pre school could close as early as the end of this week. This is a vital part of our community and childrens education. If you are able please attend the meeting at 3.30 this friday 25th and save our pre school! Anthony Palin
Re Portwell Angel - 8/9/09. I could not agree more with Mike Perks comments. So your opening another drug haven,really, why not have dancing girls just to finish the evening off??? Come on!!! Support a new business, don't worry about the whingers down the road as thats all they seem to do these days. Maybe the imitation police or even the real thing might like to ticket the illegal commercial vehicles parked on the pavements being there has been so much presence from them in the past few weeks. Noel Diamond Ed(GW) Sorry Noel I failed to post this when you sent it
New pcso - 21/9/09 Any chance this new fellow could start by writing a few parking tickets. Just walk around ANY double yellow line and someone is sure to be there. Not exactly rocket science is it. Colin
Volunteer drivers needed - 20/9/09 The Advice Centre at Wantage offers low cost transport for hospital, dental and other appointments- to those who are elderly, disabled, without or can't use their own transport and unable to use public transport. It is based on volunteer drivers (they get petrol costs), but there is only 1 driver from Faringdon. Wantage drivers will pick up in Faringdon, but because the cost is based on mileage this means that is higher for Faringdon people. More drivers based in Faringdon would be great. Contact 01235 756348 or help@advicecentreonline.com
Tribute to the troops - 20/9/09 i have heard and seen evidence that when our troops are making there last journey from lynham to oxford most of the villages and towns and this includes faringdon form a guard of honour can any one tell me why this act of tribute is not reported on desmond goddard ex royal berkshire regiment
Welcome to the new pcso - 20/9/09 I would like to welcome the new pcso to faringdon having spoken with him twice already, i have found him to be an extreamly pleasent man and an asset to the town, he should also aid the battle against the growing problem of teen drinking in the town, one which concerns me greatly! thank you and welcome. Name Supplied
Heritage Day - 18/9/09 Thank you everyone for all the positive and contructive comments regarding Heritage Day on Sunday. I would just like to say a big thank you for all the help I had in organisation. The town really came together from the leisure centre pumping up balloons to the fantastic day in Budgens - too many to mention all by name! Everyone gave their time and help for free giving everyone who attended a memorable day. Please watch out for coverage of the event in this month's Folly. It really is a pleasure to work in Faringdon! Sally Thurston
Support your local firefighters and have your car washed this Saturday, September 19th, 10am - 4pm - 18/9/09 at FARINGDON FIRE STATION. Also if you are thinking of becoming a firefighter come along and have a chat, it is a very rewarding and necessary job that will fit around you full time work. Name Supplied
Parking - 17/9/09 I know - another moan about parking !. Over the last few weeks there have been an increasing number of cars parked opposite the Southampton St junction (at the top of the road as you leave the car park). Today I noticed there were six of them, just short of Hart Avenue. All these years it's never been a problem but suddenly it's a free parking !. It's not a safe place to park at all, crossing the road is getting tricky as you have to be half way into the road now to be able to see. Driving along there I've had two near misses as cars pull out of the junction heading up Ferndale St (only looking right) as I've been overtaking these cars with nowhere to pull in. Surely common sense should tell these people that parking opposite a busy T-junction isn't a sensible idea ?. I've been wondering who to contact - Vale, Ox CC ?. I 'm not sure what they can do - eventually put double yellow lines there - but as we know, will anybody take notice of them ?!. Name Supplied
Trim Trail at the Infant School- 16/9/09 The only trim trail I am aware of in faringdon is the one in the grounds of the Infant School which is surely not available for all and sundry to use? Kat
Wellbeing Day on Monday 5th October.- 16/9/09 This event will be held at the Faringdon Corn Exchange and members of the public are invited to drop in any time between 10.30am and 1:30pm. The theme of this event is 'Get Moving' which follows the theme Time to Change have setup to celebrate World Mental Health Day. Visitors will be offered free personal training advice, free exercise demonstrations, a free Tai Chi taster session and Soll leisure will be offering a free health and fitness screening. The day is supported by a number of local health and social care partners from across Oxfordshire, and other organisations in this area. Staff from all of these organisations will be on hand to offer advice and answer any questions. It is hoped that local people will be able to use these few hours to find out more about local services and to take away information and practical tips on health and wellbeing. There will be free refreshments, free hand massages, free manicures, a free raffle and a book stall with free books for people to take away. Members of the public are welcome to drop in any time between 10.30am and 1.30pm and stay for as long as they like. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (OBMH)
Raising funds for the New Oxford Heart Centre - 16/9/09 I am a Radiographer who has been working at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for the past 30 years and living in Faringdon for the last 27 years On 18th October my family and I are taking part in, it's just not a walk in the park to raise money for The New Oxford Heart Centre which opened on September 1st. This is a significant date for me as I lost my father on October 18th 1984 at the age of 54 to a massive Heart Attack. This was before the days of Angioplasty and Stents, Ambulances did not carry automatic defibs, and there was no internet or mobile phones for the chance to make an early diagnosis. If you would like to join me in Fundraising you can email me at judith.timber@btinternet.com or visit my just giving site. http://www.justgiving.com/Judith-Timbernotjustawalkintheparkoct09 The new Heart Centre needs to raise another £2 million pounds to make life for the patients and there families more relaxing, by building a garden and providing areas to sit in quietly away from the hustle and bustle of the wards. Thank you for helping Judith Timber
Park and Guide us car park survey - 16/9/09 People parking their cars around the Vale are being given the opportunity to have their say over the next month. The Vale of White Horse District Council is conducting a survey of car park customers to help understand their views about the service and any improvements that could be made. Council staff will be stationed in the car parks in Abingdon, Wantage and Faringdon to ask customers to fill in a quick survey. The survey is also available on our website www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk and will be sent by post or email to permit holders. The survey will provide information about how and why people use the council car parks, the safety of the car parks, their tidiness, space and their value. Cllr Jenny Hannaby, Vale Council Executive Member for car parks, said: "I hope people will stop for a few minutes and help us with this survey. We want to understand if our customers are satisfied with our car parks and to understand what improvements we may be able to offer, for instance, providing larger spaces for families to make it easier to get buggies in and out of their car. We may not be able to offer people free parking, but we want to offer them a good service that is value for money." Click Here to complete the car park survey
Keith Floyd - 15/9/09 Sad to see that an old Faringdon resident has passed away. Nice bloke. Colin
Trim Trail and Green gyms - 15/9/09 I read this in an VWHDC Health improvement plan 2008 - 2011document 'Trim Trail in Faringdon has been a success over the last 10 years and is currently being updated' and 'Green Gyms - Support the development of sites at Wantage and Faringdon' Does anyone know anything about either of these? Gene Webb
Heritage Day - 14/9/09 I would like to thank Sally and the TIC team and The Town Council Team and the Town Council, and all the organisations and individuals who worked hard to get it going. It was a wonderful day, with so much going on, and so nice to have something aimed at all the the family,old and young. The Corn Exchange was filled with townspeople and visitors from both America and Canada. Obviously Faringdon is a good place to live, because we have so many ghosts who have stayed here for hundreds of years. And thank you to all the people who attended, with out them nothing is successful Alison Moore
Derek Fish - 14/9/09 i am so sorry to hear of the death of derek fish. i worked for derek from when i left school in 1953 unlill i joined the army in 1957 after i came out of the army i moved to reading so i have lost touch with every one who i worked with desmond goddard
The Lechlade Road Entrance Sign - 14/9/09 Thank you Jane. The sign was designed and erected for the Joint Environmental Trust for Faringdon. The Trust is a joint group made up of the District and Town Councils along with local interested people and organisations.It is one of the little known but very valuable groups that help to improve our Town Thanks for your kind comments. Alan Hickmore Chair of JET
Benefits advice at the Pump Rooms 09.30 - 12.00 24th September 29th October 26th November 17th December Book through Jane.Haynes@bordengate.com Tel: 01367 241162 or just turn up This service has been available for some while, but very little used. I suspect if it is not well used on these dates we'll lose it
Heritage Day- another well done - 14/9/09 How lovely to see so many people in the town on a Sunday. Great gangs of people following Alan Hickmore for ghost walks and John Gillman for history walks. and I saw Margaret Barker being pelted with wet sponges - what a sport! A full community bus to visit the SSSI in Fernham road Super graffiti art in the Town Park- 20 young people involved Lots going on in the Pump House and the Market Place Over 200 people visited the Folly Tower (some from China and New Zealand- but I guess the journey was not made specially) Budgens was great- they really made a huge effort. Hopefully the few shops that opened did really well (I thought retailers wanted people to come to Faringdon and shop- so why weren't more shops open?) Sally from the TIC put in a huge effort - all for the benefit of the town- a pity many shops didn't support her efforts. Thankyou Sally - it was all great Let's have another one sometime! Gene Webb
Heritage Day- well done - 14/9/09 Congratulations to Sally from the TIC for a wonderful day on Sunday. Heritage day was a huge success. Budgens also out did themselves. Free coffee, soup, crisp and biscuits with a live band play. Town councillors in the stocks with people throwing wet sponges and I didn't know that Faringdon had so many ghosts. Good photo display at the folly (Once you climbed to the top - a lift would be such a good idea). Excellent day Julie Farmer
Faringdon sign, Lechlade Road - 13/9/09 i would like to congratulate who ever is responsible for the new faringdon sign as you enter faringdon on lechlade road i think its very good well done! Jane Lewis
VERY DISAPOINTED IN OUR POLICE FORCE - 13/9/09 LAST NIGHT THEY KEEP WALKEING AROUND SAYING THAT THINGS ARE GOING TO BE BETTER FOR ALL.YEAH RIGHT???????? LAST NIGHT THERE WAS A MAN NOT SURE IF HE WAS DRUNK OR ON ANY THING OR JUST NEEDED A CHECK UP FROM THE NECK UP SLEEPING IN THE SHOP DOOR WAYS AND NOT RESPONDING TO ANY ONE.BUT WEN HE DID ALL HE WOULD SAY WAS "WHERE AM I" THERE WAS PEOPLE WALKING PAST HIM GIVEING HIM A REAL HARD TIME.SO I SAID TO MY BOSS I WAS GOING TO RING THE POLICE,SO I DID ON THE 0845 NUMBER THAT WAS USELESS. I TOLD THEM WHERE HE WAS WHAT HE WAS LIKE AND PEOPLE GIVEING HIM A REAL HARD TIME THEY SAID OK THEY WOULD SEND SOME ONE TO SEE HIM ONE OF THE GUYS FROM BEST FOOD STOPED HELPED HIM UP AND TOOK HIM TO GET HIM FOOD AND COFFE FAIR PLAY GUYS. 45 MINS LATER WITCH I MIGHT ADD WAS A JOKE STILL NO POLICE THERE WAS A AMBULANCE OUT TO FIND HIM SO I THORT ID RING THE 999 NUMBER THEN ABOUT 20 MIN LATER 2 OF THE FEMALE COMUNITY POLICE WALKED DOWN WENT OVER SPOKE TO HIM FOR ABOUT A MIN AND LEFT HIM. THEN ABOUT A HOUR AND HALF LATER TWO MORE POLICE CAME DOWN ON FOOT ANT 1 OR 2 IN THERE VAN AND THEY SPOKE TO HIM FOR ABOUT 3 TO 5 MINS AMD ALSO LEFT HIM.NOT BEING FUNNY HE CLEARLY NEEDED HELP AND I PERSONALY THINK THAT HE NEEDED TO BE TAKEN IN TILL THE MORNING TO FIND OUT WHERE HE FROM IM DISCUSTED WITH THE WAY HE WAS LEFT FOR SO LONG AND LEFT OVER NIGHT THINK THIS SAFER COMUNITY NEED THE BEST FOOD GUYS TO TAKE ON THE ROLL OF THE POLICE FORSE,AND THE POLICE TO START FLIPPING BERGERS Robert Stanton
Swan Lane. - 11/9/09 I see that navigating through Swan Lane is difficult a times due to the number of illegally parked cars again. Always the same lazy people. When will Faringdon get a Traffic Warden or certainly an official who takes interest in keeping the streets clear. London Street is a chicane most of the day. Hopefully the contractors in Gravel Walk will get it right this time. Colin
Re. The "old" wine bar - 11/9/09 Illegal substances, antisocial behaviour... it sounds far more interesting that it actually was...namely the same half dozen people and a dog, night after night, playing random games like Spoof Name Supplied
ROTARY CLUB OF FARINGDON & DISTRICT SHOP-N-DROP- 10/9/09 The local Rotary Club is involved again this year with the Hope and Aid Direct charity. The charity collects food and hygiene items and delivers them direct to the people in need - in this case those in abject poverty in Kosovo, an area still suffering drastically from the after effects of the Balkan wars. To help with the collections Rotary will be running Shop-n-Drop on Saturday 3rd October from 9.00am to 3.00pm outside Budgens in Faringdon and Coop Swift in Watchfield. The Rotary Club of Wantage will also be collecting from outside Waitrose in Wantage. Please help by purchasing one or two extra food or hygiene items which you can then donate to the charity. All items will then be collected and loaded onto trucks which will be driven in convoy by volunteers to Kosovo. The journey will start later in October and Sarah Oliver from Faringdon will be joining the trip. Hope and Aid Direct are helped by volunteers who are expected to raise their own funds to get there and back and where possible borrow, hire or provide their own trucks. Two convoys a year drive to Kosovo (one at Easter and one in October). Each trip lasts around two weeks. To ensure that all the food and goods donated get to those in need the drivers, on arrival, sort and then deliver what is required direct to families or individuals. If you want to know more please see the website: http://www.hopeandaiddirect.net/howtohelp/ When Rotary ran a Shop-n-Drop previously 85 banana boxes of food were collected locally and in total 55 to 56 tonnes of food and goods were taken to Kosovo. Over the last 20 years some 1,200 tonnes have been delivered, bringing much needed relief to the area. Rotary would like to thank Budgens and the Coop for allowing us to collect outside their shops. Please remember Shop-n-Drop on Saturday 3rd October outside Budgens in Faringdon, Coop Swift in Watchfield and Waitrose in Wantage.
Not a lot of people know this.- 10/9/09 Most drivers belong to a Breakdown Service e.g. RAC or AA. Most people assume that they can call on these services if they have a car related problem in the middle of the night in the middle of nowhere. They assume that the nice man/woman at the call centre will send a Knight in Shining Armour, disguised as a driver in a breakdown truck, to help . What most people do not know is that these widely advertised services are as much use as a chocolate teapot if you are involved in an accident. The small print in the Terms and Conditions will make this quite clear of course so there is no cause for complaint and the nice man/woman will explain this to you as you stand in the rain suffering from shock or worse. A call to 999 will provide an ambulance if needed and the police will ensure that the accident isn't causing a traffic hazard and probably give you a free breath test and a check to see that your tax disc is current.. But does anyone know of an emergency service which will offer help apart from that offered by your Insurer ? HGM
Recommendation - gas engineer - 10/9/09 Just a quick thank you to the lady who recommended Mike at Cosy Cat Heating in response to my request from months ago! What a gem - did a great job, polite, trustworthy, respectful and considerate of my home and about £5k cheaper (yes, that's right) than the more local firms. I too am recommending him! Name Supplied
Electrician - 10/09/09 Try Iain at Ashbury Electrical (turned up on time, did what I wanted, cleaned up after himself!) Name Supplied
Electric Blanket Testing in Faringdon - 10/9/09 The District Council is helping to fund electric blanket testing days in Faringdon (9th Oct) and Wantage (23rd Oct). As of yesterday there were 53 places available at Faringdon and 17 available at Wantage. It’s important that we make as many people as possible aware of the service as this reduces the risk that it is withdrawn through lack of demand. If you click on the following link you will see a press release with further details: http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/news_views/press_releases/article.asp?id=tcm:4-6508&rtn=D Toby Warren, VWHDC
New Talking Health pages on this site - 8/9/09 There are quite a few people in Faringdon seeking to improve the health services available to local people. It will be a long job, but an important part will be to get opinions and experiences from local people. Have a look at http://faringdon.org/nvtalkinghealth.htm. (It's in the Health section of this website). There is already some useful information about medical services - transport to Oxford, extended GP surgery hours, new services from our GPs, out of hours pharmacy+++. Maybe you have more information that would benefit other people knowing about? Please do contribute- together we will build a useful information repository for everyone. FAP has formed a health and social care pressure group. We meet every 2 months or so. Already we've had people who provide healthcare come along and seek our views. If you want to join in, contact Jane at Jane.Haynes@bordengate.com Gene Webb
Gravel walk - 8/9/09 As one of the drivers who got caught in the complete gridlock on gravel walk today, can I just remind fellow drivers that green means go ONLY if the way is clear! Its enough of a problem without bad driving making the situation worse! Name Supplied
Portwell Angel - 8/9/09. We just wanted to wish Nick & Mark all the best in their venture at The Portwell Angel. What a relief to finally see this unused building put to good use. As mentioned by Sam & Hilary, it can only be a good thing for the town. Something different!!! Lets all support our local businesses rather than put them down and write them off before they've even opened. We look forward to experiencing it for ourselves in the near future. Kate & Lee @ The Old Crown
Dog walker desperately needed!!! - 8/9/09 Does anyone know of anyone offering dog walking facilities in Faringdon or the surrounding area? I have looked for adverts in Budgeons, Danetree Vets and the Pet shop but there doesnt seem to be any at the moment. A while ago a lady from Faringdon placed an advertisement at the gate entrance to the Folly. She was advertising day care in her own home for dogs. She sounded brilliant - any chance anyone knows who she might be?! We have a one year old Bichon Frise who is adorable and (mostly) well behaved. His current walker is no longer able to continue. Please help! Gill Day
Portwell re-visited - 7/9/09. I note with some amusement the objections from some "neighbours" of the new venue. It seems that from a certain perspective, all will be well with Faringdon if innovative thinking and the provision of evening leisure should be confined to watching television, or being a disciple of Marcel Marceau. Urinating in the street, noise, opium dens, poor community officers dragged from their beds at the wee hours before midnight? Methinks the Bard and Macbeth have been invoked, for this is pure fiction. Unlike dumping rubbish all over the pavement and fouling the footpath with large vans, which of course is totally acceptable? Mike Perks
Gasworks Gravel walk update - 7/9/09 6 weeks of misery to go so i've been told. Apparently John Peters at Highways has absolutely no control over what happens on our roads......Why is he in the "highways" dept then i wonder. If he is given the correct notice period by a company wanting to do work, he is obliged to give them the licence to do it! He cannot make any decisions as to whether it's an appropriate time etc. All due to a Government Act of 1991 so he says. But, he needs to receive all your calls, letters, so they can be logged on the PEMS system (although he couldn't tell me who is proactive in taking them forward, if they would be at all, i have a very nice lady at OCC looking into this for me). Make sure you mention that you want your call logged on this system, you will need a reference number (which he has never given me on the numerous occasions i have spoken to him, wish i'd known this before). Again, the numbers to call Tim Shepherd, Wales and West 077704 35302 John Peters 0845 3101111 JP agreed with me that writing to Ed Vaizey was a good idea as he needs ammunition against this act for the good of everyone. Trish Reynolds
Portwell Angel licence opposition - 7/9/09 I just want to wish Nick good luck with this venture. The reasons given in opposition are complete nonsense, have no validity in view of the fact that is is a completely NEW venture. Reasons for opposition are given by the VERY small "usual" group of individuals who will never be happy until prohibition is introduced in Faringdon!(but who would be mortified if anyone complained about the way they conduct their businesses of course). Trish Reynolds
Portwell Angel - 7/9/09 It sounds as if the proposed site could be a great asset to the town centre. Having taken notice of the diminishing amount of people out and about, on Friday and Sat nights in particular, I would have thought that a new business should be encouraged.It is a town centre and therefore should have some nightlife,not as some people would like, a town that goes to sleep after 5pm. We all know that times are difficult at the moment but there are people out there trying their best to make things work and have a good time. "Let the good times roll." Sam and Hilary. (M.A.D.D.)
Will you share your wartime memories? - 6/9/09 Would you be interested in talking about your memories of the Second World War? The Second World War Experience Centre is carrying out a nationwide project, recording the personal experiences of people who lived through the war years, to ensure these stories are preserved for future generations. With the recent passing of the last veterans of World War One, this has brought into focus the increasing urgency to record people’s memories before it is too late. The Centre is a registered museum and charity, and more than 4000 people have been interviewed for the Centre’s oral history archive. The Centre would like to record the stories of ex-servicemen and women, civilians, children, factory workers, or anyone who has first hand memories from that time. Its website can be found at http://www.war-experience.org . Recent interviewees in the Oxfordshire area have included a nurse who worked in London during the Blitz, a lady who worked at Bletchley Park as a decoder, an evacuee who left London to live in a mining village in South Wales, a Prisoner of War captured at Dunkirk in 1940, a gentleman who served with the Royal Army Medical Corps in Italy, and a Merchant Navy seaman who was on the Atlantic Convoys. If you think that you may be interested in having your wartime memories recorded for posterity and inclusion in The Second World War Experience Centre archive, or would like further information, please contact the Centre’s volunteer recorder in the Oxfordshire area: Matthew Smaldon, Tel: 01235 526734 (please leave a message if there is no answer) email: matthew.smaldon@gmail.com
The Mysterious Floating Polystyrene - 6/9/09 People who have deliveries should dispose of their rubbish accordingly and not leave it under the Town Hall to be blown around Faringdon... did we have a snow storm in the last few days??? How disrespectful for it to be scattered around the Churchyard. Name Supplied
Portwell Angel licence opposition - 6/9/09 We learned on Thursday that have received some opposition to our being granted a license. The main concerns are: 1. our neighbours are concerned about late night opening. It is not our intention to open very late other than on special occasions. Unfortunately, in filling out the licence application it is not possible to say this as one cannot predict which day might be a special occasion. 2. our neighbours are concerned about noise. The wine bar is to be developed so as to offer an a different and “upmarket” place in Faringdon to have a glass of wine or cocktail. It will not be suitable for the “disco” type event that people are concerned about. When the bar is open late, we will not allow entrance to the “overflow” from other pubs in the town. 3. one of our neighbours wrote as follows: 1 Reignite the 'heavy' noise pollution in what is an quiet unassuming Market Town 2 Encourage more late night drinking(until 3am!!) 3 Increase pollution to our pavements ie butt ends, broken glasses, urination etc etc 4 Mean restricted public access through the Portwell Corner should outside seating be granted 5 Potentially create a premises for the sale of illegal substance as was before 6 Increase the number of individuals drinking in the Market Place intself encouraging possible 'unruly' disturbances 7 Encourage the blatant disregard and lack of respect to the many long standing residents, both very young and old, in the Market Place re: the playing of live amplified music with the premises doors wide open until the early hours of the morning (as was previously experienced) 8 Mean more hours for the CPOs and the local constabulary who we're sure have seen a dramatic change for the good- post Portwell Wine bar. 1 Bearing in mind that we are proposing a “Piano/Cocktail” bar, I doubt that this will have a significant affect on the level of noise in the Market Square. However, I could take issue with the term “Unassuming Market Town” as this sounds a very negative appraisal. 2 If people want to drink until 3.00am they will no doubt do so. We plan to be in bed long before then! 3 I anticipate that most people to whom this e-mail has been sent will visit the wine bar at some point. I would ask you please not to urinate on the pavements. If glasses are damaged, I would ask that you let us know so that they can be cleared away. And should you decide to smoke on the street rather than in the area that we are providing, please consider our neighbours. 4This is an interesting point. Is one table on a narrow footpath more or less of an obstruction to several tables in a larger area? 5 Having looked at the figures from the previous owner, there was no suggestion of enhanced profits from the sale of illegal substances. Indeed, had there been it seems probable that the business would not have failed. Perhaps we should all take this as a personal insult. (One of our shareholders is actually involved in stopping the development and import of drugs!) 6 Encouraging more people to eat beef on the bone might lead to an increase in Mad Cow Disease. Now there’s a thought…. Mad Cow Disease? Mmm 7 I spend quite a lot of my time doing what I can to improve the quality of life in the town. I work with the Chamber of Commerce, with Faringdon Area Project, and I have established the “Focus on” identity. (see www.focusonfaringdon.co.uk) I am vice chair to the joint economic forum. I live in the town. My office is in the town and will relocate into Portwell House when renovations are complete. One of our shareholders plans to live in the apartment above the wine bar. Between Bordengate, Focus and The Portwell Angel we will be employing some 40 people. I take objection to the allegation that anything we might do could encourage “blatant disregard and lack of respect to….”. Mind you, I might remind all that respect is not given freely: it has to be earned. 8 Another fanciful and emotive comparison with history. The current shareholders should not be tarred with the same poison brush as the previous entrepreneur. Nick Elwell
Let's try and use the London St Pharmacy - 6/9/09 Please everyone, use this pharmacy for your prescriptions. They are efficient, friendly, lovely people and we need to ensure they do a good business so they remain in Faringdon. They open long hours, the service is 100% better and friendlier than Boots. By the time you've walked up London Street, you'll probably still be quicker than queueing in Boots waiting for someone to take any notice of you! Trish Reynolds Ed(GW) Hear hear
Gravel Walk Roadworks - 6/9/09 The ongoing, badly organised fiasco of these gasworks continues. Whilst it is appreciated this work is essential, the whole project has been badly managed and has been going on for far longer than they should. They were supposed to have restarted these works after Fairfold in July and were scheduled to be finished mid August. It would all have been done and dusted nicely in time for the return of schools, people to work etc when the roads got busy again. But, Wales and West Utilities do not appear to be the most efficient organisation and the VWH highways department don't seem at all interested. If anyone encounters problems with these works, or just wants to find out why the whole project has been handled so badly these are the people to ring: John Peters is the contact at the VWH District Council Highways department. Tim Shepherd is the guy in charge of these works for Wales and West Utilities. 0777 04 35302 (the one who gave me the original timetable). Perhaps the more badgering of these people, the more likely things will get done. Trish Reynolds
Garden party at Little Lodge farm - 5/9/09 Many thanks to those of you who braved last weekend's atrocious weather and joined us for the Little Lodge garden party to open our new Spork garden tools shop. Congratulations to the Adams family who guessed the closest to where we had hidden a Spork on the farm and wins a hand Spork and a free slice of our delicious home-made cake. And well done to Mark Glynne-Jones who threw the Sprooter a staggering 20m, winning a Dinky Spork and a free slice of cake. Tom Allen-Stevens Ed(GW) I now know what a spork is- but I had to look it up!
Illegal parking - 5/9/09 Can someone tell me who owns W657 DCT and explain why it was parked on the pavement outside the Corn Exchange on Thursday evening: causing an obstruction both to those using the pavement and those entering and leaving the Corn Exchange. There is a car park less than 50 yards away! A local pedant.
FOUND: - 4/9/09 Found in Faringdon nr Coleshill Drive - a small blue & white soft-toy dog that rattles. Obviously a well loved toy. Was a bit grubby when I found it so has now had a bath :) Photo here: http://tiny.cc/LNGvL Please call 07930 490474 to arrange collection. Jen Farquhar
Davis Home Centre - 3/9/09 I thought I would let you all know as said in the Faringdon Folly, that we will try and keep all present stock. There will be some go that we cannot fit in to the No17, but this is stock that has not sold in the last 3 years or just sells very slowly. Putting that aside, nearly anything can be got within a week to two weeks and as our regulars will know we try hard to get any product in. I had to make the decision to close half of the shop down as it was that or all of the shop going, this I thought would be something no one wants! I appreciate all the support the community has given over the last 3 years, but as I say and this goes for all of Faringdon's businesses, if we don't use them we will lose them!Now more so than ever. Many thanks, Adam Blackwell owner of Davis Home Centre
Gravel walk - 3/9/09 Did someone make a concious decision to wait till the kids went back to school to start the road works???? Why couldn't they have gotten it done while the kids were off school and the roads were quieter? Emma Riddle
Fun and fitness dance sessions - 3/9/09 GO Active is running sessions from the beginning of October. In the Vale District there beginner ballroom and latin dance classes are being held at three different locations: * Sutton Courtenay Village Hall, every Monday 7.30-9.00pm Monday 5th October to 30th November 2009 (please note no session is being run on 16th November) * Little Coxwell Village Hall, every Tuesday 7.00-8.30pm Tuesday 6th October to 1st December 2009 (no stilettos) * Blewbury Primary School, every Wednesday 7.00-8.30pm Wednesday 7th October 2009 to 2nd December 2009 … 1 hour fitness dance sessions (including cha cha, foxtrot, waltz and jive) followed by socializing and practice time £2 per class Then join us for a joint Christmas social event being held on Monday 7th December at Sutton Courtenay Village Hall, 7.30-9.30pm … If you are interested please feel free to come along- alone or with a partner. Anna Capel-Davies GO Active Co-ordinator (Vale of White Horse) Oxfordshire Sports Partnership Tel: 01235 540377 Mob: 0776 856 7876
Heritage Open Day. 13/9/09 - 3/9/09 Loads of activities - Walks and Tours, open buildings, deputy Town Crier competition, art in the park++++++ Download the full programme
Community award finalists and voting form - 3/9/09 Delighted to announce the finalists for our 2009 Community Awards. Below each finalist is a brief synopsis of reasons for nomination. Business Award: 1. White Horse Hire White Horse Hire go above and beyond the call of duty on taxi trips. They provide support and company on hospital and medical visits. They help with shopping and are always reliable. 2. What’s on What’s On keep the community informed and help to strengthen community spirit with free listings of community events. It is an invaluable free source of local information especially for those without computer access 3. Pure Me This business has been supplying Faringdon for over a year and a half with organic products. This has really served to fill a need. Along side this the shop proprietor has organised some interesting talks and events on the subject of organic products, herbal remedies and holistic therapies. There have been free taster sessions and consultations. This has been a great addition to our community shops and we should really support Pure me. Group Award 1. Community Bus. The Community Bus is run by a voluntary committee and voluntary drivers. It provides first class service to the town. All the drivers are helpful, kind, cheerful and cooperative. The bus is a reliable form of transport for those who otherwise would be unable to do their shopping etc. independently. The afternoon and weekend trips are enjoyed by all ages and are excellent value. An asset to the town 2. U3A. The U3A is a not for profit, locally based organised open to ANYONE who has reached their 3rd age and no longer works fulltime. Formed in 2002 it quickly became the largest group of like minded people in the Faringdon area. This organisation brings stimulation and companionship to many people. There are opportunities to learn new skills, exercise and socialise. For people who are bereaved, lonely, new to area or in need or stimulating activity it is invaluable. Interest groups meet weekly or monthly and range from Astronomy to appreciating opera, computers to Bridge, Sunday Lunches to local history. Members share their knowledge voluntarily. The group is run by members for members. 3. Dramatic Society The group has been running for over 60 years. It brings arts to the community. There is an annual panto that involves any members of the community wishing to take part. Giving many children their first opportunity to be involved in a theatre production. It is very welcoming to new members giving local people the opportunity to work on stage, back stage, front of house or simply enjoy theatre at a local level as part of the audience. The best group in Faringdon! The Clive Davis Community Hero Award 1. Les Sears. Les Retires as Chairman of Faringdon Town Football Club this year. His services to the club and town have been outstanding. He has been involved with FTFC since 1965. He has seen many developments at the club including club house improvements, youth and girls football. The football club is an important part of our town providing sport and social for many residents. The club has also raised over £$0,000 for the baby unit at the Princess Margaret Hospital. 2. Frank Callanan. Frank does a huge amount of voluntary work in Faringdon and beyond. Frank has volunteered for the Mustard Seed, Community Bus Breakfast Club amongst others. He also travels to Kosavo at least once a year to deliver humanitarian aid. 3. Sjoerd Vogt Sjoerd has worked tirelessly on behalf of fair trade ensuring Faringdon became the first fair trade town in the area. His works with Eco Week have really brought Faringdon into the limelight and won an award. He also volunteers as Town Crier. 4. Julie Farmer. Julie’s work with the Arts Festival over the last 6 years has put Faringdon on the map. She is a dedicated person and puts in many late nights. She deals with acts and artists, venues and local councils. She makes sure that everyone who attends the festival is kept safe and enjoys local and very talented bands. She has exceeded anything that should be expected of a volunteer putting the happiness of others before her own. Download Voting Form
whats happening in gravel walk now????- 3/9/09 Name supplied
Coach/Manager required for Faringdon Football Club Youth Team (Under 8s) - 2/9/09 We currently train on Friday evenings (6-7) and matches are played on Saturday mornings. Please contact Jo on 01367 244919 or 0790 1533968 for further information.
Exhibition 'Photographs around the Folly' Graham Fletcher and Al Cane - 2/9/09 In the Belvedere room in the Folly Tower Sunday September 6th 1100-1700 Sunday 13th September Heritage Open Day 1030-1630 Sunday October 4th 1100-1700
The chinese drama goes on - 1/9/09 Both the Mayflower & Mings was closed on monday eve. What is a man meant to eat???? Noel Diamond
Let's try and use the London St Pharmacy - 1/9/09 It's open 0900-1300 on a Sunday morning (Boots is closed all day Sunday), as well as 0700 - 2300 on every other day of the week. I've no idea how well it is being used, but without it we all could face significant travelling time to get prescriptions out of normal hours. Name Supplied
Business changes in Faringdon - 1/9/09 I've heard that Davis DIY is contracting to the area where the paint and garden items are (+ some more space at the rear). The 'first' shop area is to be let. This is one of the best shops in Faringdon - let's hope they can still provide a wide range of goods. Peugeot Garage. The maintenance service is to be provided from the Marlborough St premises, as well as the car sales. The Pioneer Road premises is to be closed. Name Supplied
For previous Talking Point entries- going back to April 2002 - go to Talking Points Archive

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