faringdon-online community web site home	talking points
	august 2007

---

Where is the shoe shop - 30/8/07 I too am interested to know where the shoe shop is! I held out on buying my children's school shoes right until the last minute in the hope that I could buy them in Faringdon and support a local business but it wasn't to be. I do hope this is just a delay and that we will see it happen. Sadly I had to take my custom to Witney but at least I was able to take advantage of their FREE car parking!! I did have a conversation about parking with a VWHDC councillor recently who seemed to think that the situation will never change in Faringdon. I can't understand why Abingdon, Witney and Wantage can all have free car parking but we can't. I really feel for local businesses in Faringdon - it can't be easy! Anna Ed: I think the Witney situation is something to do with the land being given to the town. I agree, free (to some extent) parking would help Faringdon. But businesses could help themselves by offerin g a refund of the ticket price for spend over £x. Budgens do this.

Referring to the poaching eggg thing - 30/8/07 My first cookery lesson was how to soft boil an egg, then how to hard boil an egg. The second lesson was how to poach and then how to fry an egg. (Please note each stage was done with a different egg!) After that we learned how to make pastry, and made jam tarts, then we learned how to make egg and bacon flan. We did the lessons in stages, learning how to cook the eggs, then the pastry then putting these together in the flan. These days though the school isn't given enough time and resources to do these lessons and they have to press on with food technology, as it's now known, and teach them quickly. My son's first lesson was fruit salad made with fresh fruit and orange juice - when I made fresh fruit salad, we were taught how to make a syrup. All my son learned there was how to put bought ingredients together, some fresh ones needing preparation of course, but not a lot. I'm not a brilliant cook, but I do enjoy cooking and learned how to DESPITE my cookery teacher when I did my Food and Nutrition O Grade (in Scotland), not because of her - she and I did not get on, I'm afraid, but that is irrelevant! I feel sad that schools are not able to take the time to let the children do longer cookery lessons and learn more during them. Fiona Merrick

Satisfaction guaranteed on a local night for local people - 29/8/07 Live music back in Faringdon on Sat 15 September at the Junior School. 4 acts all for £5 in advance (Portwell Bar) or £7 on the door including Surface Noise - from the Community College The Likely Lads - Roger and Shaun regularly seen at the Portwell Diablo13 - from Swindon Tyla - the legendary final gig at the corn exchange last November and recently supported Alice Cooper in Milwaukee USA. Both acoustic and electric Sound and lights being provided by Faringdon's finest Tim and Rod. Any more info contact me via fbpromotions@tiscali.co.uk cheers Hamish

For the Chef who cannot cook a poached egg - 29/8/07 Buy yourself a poacher - put water in the water receptacale, put the egg in the egg receptacale, simmer until egg turns white, tip the egg out onto your toast - get back to me if you dont know how to do toast Pimpernel

Allan - 27/8/07 Just check the insurance statistics ... Mark Harrison

Well dressing query - 27/8/07 I've read a little bit about people complaining about the well dressing, but am unclear on exactly what the complaints were... Would someone be kind enough to fill me in? Kate Harrison

Technophobes? - 26/8/07 Surely the Technophobic Ladies should encourage their partners to spend many hours concocting erudite mail messages and then sending them via the DEL (for Deliver) button. John Gillman

Where is the new shoe shop? - 24/8/07 Whatever happened to the new shoe shop that was meant to be opening in August (according to the paper sign in the window)? The sign has now been removed and there is no sign of any shoes! I was really happy to hear that I wouldn't have to guzzle petrol just to buy my children their shoes (and children need new shoes too often to trail down to Greenbridge every few weeks!), and support local business at the same time. Hope that this shop hasn't gone the way of many others in Faringdon, which seem to be disappearing at a rate of knots... Name supplied

Technophobic Ladies...not ! - 24/8/07 A hundred thousand years ago a stone-age female said "I couldn't cook that Mammoth dear. I'm not sure that it's dead" Her man said "That's no problem, mate, I'll grill the thing for you" And that is why in modern times men do the Bar-B-Que. But these days Women say to men " Computers hurt my brain" So men, it's time to make a stand or we'll get stuck again. There's lots of things that women do. From making babies to cooking stew. So why on earth do they pretend they can't write an email and then press "Send" ? MFC

To the frustrated chef: - 21/8/07 I find boiling the water then letting it just go off the boil before doing the vortexing thing, not too much water mind the level is also critical to a good egg I say ... then onto the toast, a nice runny egg with a bit of brown sauce, marvellous. Name supplied

It's a fair cop,Guv. - 21/8/07 I've just had my moment of fame. I am now included in the Police Speed Camera Album. Which I think is a very fat book. My important statistics are listed including "allegedly driving at 36mph in a 30mph zone." My Grand Daughter summed up the situation by calling me "Naughty Grandpa". This post isn't to complain about being caught. It is a warning to everyone who may have to follow me that in future I will be causing long tailbacks by keeping to the speed limits and you will overtake me at your peril. That doesn't apply to certain elements of road users of course. Joyriders in stolen cars can't be traced easily. People who don't have a valid Car Registration, MOT or Insurance won't have their details held at the DVLC so they can't be traced easily. VIPs can claim they don't remember who was driving at the time so they won't get a ticket. And of course cars and enormous lorries with foreign number plates are excused from obeying our Highway Code because..you've guessed it..they can't be traced easily. But the majority of TP readers probably are reasonable law abiding citizens. AND YOU CAN BE TRACED EASILY. Name Supplied

Thank you Jane - 18/8/07 I appreciate your advice and I'll try it. I appreciate even more the fact that you treated my problem with the seriousness I felt it deserved. Frustrated Chef

Poetry..Faringdon Style - 18/8/07 The poetry competition is back again this year and once again the winner will get money. The subject doesn't matter, it's entirely up to you. So will it be dead serious or funny ? Once again Jim Horton is offering a prize But I've heard, let's hope it isn't true... Rumour says the first prize may be one of Jimmy's poems. And the second prize might possibly be two. Professor C.C. Norris has agreed to be a judge Persuaded by the dulcet tones of Hil. It can't have been too easy to persuade him to preside But come what may, it seems, he's said he will. So if you're good at writing, and even if you're not, here's your chance to show what you can do. Your name will not be published. No one will criticize. So the best of luck to everyone of you. Anon

To Frustrated Chef - 17/8/07 You need to turn the water rapidly so that it creates a vortex and drop the egg into the well caused. I've found that cracking the egg into a bowl first is the easiest way or the water slows down too much before you get the egg into it. When the egg is partially cooked use a slotted spoon to turn it over. You need two pans for two eggs or the first is cold before you've cooked the second. Good luck!! Jane Boulton

Parking at the Leisure Centre - 18/8/07 Now it's school holidays there is always plenty of space in the car park at the Leisure Centre. Something to do with families being away on holiday, but mostly I think due to the fact that the school is on holiday- the large numbers of teachers and pupils with cars are on holiday too. VWHDC have asked for more car parking at the Leisure Centre - to be paid for as part of Planning Gain from the soon to be built 400 houses near the Folly. Surely it is the school that needs the parking and therefore this should be paid for by Oxfordshire County Council?? Perhaps VWHDC and Soll Leisure should be restricting the use of the car park to Leisure Centre visitors only Gene Webb

Poaching an egg should not be rocket science. - 17/8/07 While TP regulars are frantically composing poems for the competition will some less ambitious poster tell me how to poach an egg without using an egg poacher? I put water into a saucepan coated with polytetrafluoroethylene and add a small amount of 5% acetic acid. I raise the water temperature to 98C and gently pour in one egg. It promptly sinks to the bottom of the water where the yolk sticks firmly to the supposedly non stick surface of the pan. Most of the egg white forms a white scum on the surface and by the time I have removed it the yolk has the appearance and taste of a yellow golf ball. What am I doing wrong ? Frustrated Chef. Ed: I think the water should be simmering v gently - see http://whatscookingamerica.net/Eggs/PoachEgg.htm

Singing for Pleasure - 13/8/07 For anyone and everyone who would like to sing for the sheer pleasure of singing. Whether you think you can sing or not, whether you can read music or not, whether you're male or female, whether you're 'mature' or young, whether you can come to all sessions or just some- all are welcome It will start on Tuesday October 30th, and last for 6 weeks, until December 4th. and will be held in the Hall of Faringdon United Church, from 7pm - 8pm. It will cost no more than £2 per session, with perhaps a charge for copies of the words and music. We are likely to have 6 more sessions starting in the New Year We are fortunate to have 2 experienced musicians and singers to lead us. Initially we will sing well known modern(ish) and traditional songs. Perhaps Christmas ones too. Look out for adverts in Whats On and on this site. Please contact me if you intend to come, as it will be good to have some idea of the numbers to expect. Gene Webb genewebb@nildram.co.uk, 01367 242222

'The Motorist's If' (not by Rudyard Kipling).- 10/8/07 Many years ago, following a motoring accident, my mother bought my father a framed copy of "The Motorist's If ". I think he had bumped into the man with the red flag. I can only remember the following few lines but can anyone provide any others ? If you can drive from John O' Groats to Devon and not tell lies about your average speed. If you can treat the modest Baby Seven with all the care a limousine would need. If you can thread your way through thickest traffic, nor cease from caution down the loneliest lane, aware that, once removed to realms seraphic, no hen or duck will e're see life again. In short if you behave with due discretion as just one item in a mighty host You'll be, if you will pardon my expression, A damned sight better motorist than most Name supplied

Hi All - 8/8/07 I passed my test at 17 years 6 weeks in 1969. My Dad had taught me to drive from the age of 14 on private property. My son learned to drive in 2001. I believe our driving skills are similar but his are more honed on the likes of roundabouts etc - which were few and far between in 1969. But I have not written off my car like he has! Jill Dean

Reply to Happy days - 8/8/07 I usually take a somewhat wicked stance in support of an alternative view. However, the one put forward by the youth (or parent he claims to be) is simply mindless drivel. If its an attempt at a joke, I'm afraid it in very poor taste and quite frankly obscene. Devils advocate.

Welcome to TPs Allan - 8/8/07 I've now got used to comments provoked by what I post..I know I've only got myself to blame. I feel that without criticism of the things I write this website really wouldn't be the same. I sometimes do become quite sad when I'm misunderstood. And find it hard when others disagree. But one thing really hurts a lot, and damages my pride, I thought you'd know that HGM is me. Harry G Mitchell (Definitely a HE not a SHE)

Allan, Grow up - 8/8/07 Wow! how clever you must feel - "current driving protocols......the ethos of modern driving techniques.....move the world forward....etc. " Dont make me laugh. If you really were the parent of a young person old enough to drive you could never write such drivel. I am a parent; I also have a nephew, permanently maimed , disfigured, crippled and dependent, because he was unlucky enough to be driving his car when he met just such a boy racer as you appear to support - a know-it-all, self centred, cretinous little t***** who thought that he could "make overtaking the simple exercise it should be" Unfortunately, he couldn't. He served a short prison sentence for dangerous driving. My nephew will serve his life sentence until he dies. Name supplied

In reply to Happy days Allan. -7/8/07 I passed my car test 45 years ago, and I still drive around this country amassing approximatly 45000 miles a year, well above average driving. Every day of the week I see some great driving techniques, I suspect, trained and perfected in the circus. Believe me when I say, the best racing drivers are out there every day, much better than those at Silverstone.These guys are from the Gods and think that they and their cars are indestructible. Boy racers seem to be infatuated with speed or the sound of it. Ask them about speed limits and they will tell you exactly how fast their vehicle can go, road signs, what's them. However Allan,remember that the Highway Code applies to all drivers old and young, this has not changed. I hope that you never have to support any boy racer who has knocked a child down, or indeed knocked anyone down, or God forbid a fatality through speeding. You cannot be proud of such actions when you have to say sorry to the family of the injured party. Please be proud of your boy, but do not support speeding through our streets. Tom Melbank

Litter pick assistance - 7/8/07 The Vale of White Horse District Council is offering a helping hand to anyone in the District who wants to do their bit to keep their local community clean and tidy. The Council's Environment Wardens Colin Marshall and Sadie Broadbridge can provide help, advice and equipment to anyone who would like to organise a litter pick. See nvpressrelease.htm for more info

Missing Cat in the Town End Road Area - 7/8/07 Our small black and white cat went off early on Monday (6th) morning and we haven't seen her since. She gave birth to 2 kittens on Sunday 5th followed by a caesarian section later in the day...so you'd know her if you saw her! I would just like to ask everyone if they could kindly check their sheds and garages in case she's got shut in somewhere - she really needs to come back to feed her kittens! Thanks 242769 / 07974 938 265 Sarah Oliver

In support of the young - 6/8/07 Jane from HGM raises valid (pre Aricept) discussion points when she states she cannot abide boy racers...is it because she is so out of touch with current driving protocols..how proud we parents are that we can buy a car for our offspring..how proud are we that we can support them and tell them that anyone who passed their test 34+years ago can be a danger to other road users because they can longer judge & understand the ethos of modern driving techniques..older drivers can be easily identified..they indicate when not needed....cannot judge distances..cannot read the road ahead to make overtaking the simple exercise it should be..someone tell these old vacuous folk that if you cannot read, judge or anticipate current driving conditions then please use public transport... and what has baseball caps & music to do with driving..what's that about...no your time has been (like the dinosaurs) not come...that's for us folk who know & understand children, their motivation & desire to move the world forward to undo all of the small town NIMBY attitudes that have been instilled by ill informed parents who feel that that if they act like their parents then the world will be like a better place, wrong! just be comforted by the fact that your/other folks kids will move the world forward infinitely more than you ever do or did!!! or imagine.....in case it passed you by we no longer need the chap with a red flag in front of a vehicle...I don't remember this ...I am aware that it used to happen...but until now had not read from anyone who lived the experience..now that box has been ticked... Happy Days Allan

More chemist support - 6/8/07 To support the local chemist shop I must leap or even hop to their defence! A couple of weeks ago I was very unwell on my return from a holiday in the Arabian Gulf - having disgraced myself both in and outside the Dr's surgery with severe techicolour yawns. I went to the chemists where I obviously looked even greener around the gills than I had been earlier and they assured me they would as quick as possible with my prescription - (It needed to be!!!) Despite their speed & genuine concern I could not stand the pace and had to make a v rapid emergency exit - closely followed by a very kind young lady who looked after me ... I was the one that was embarassed beyond belief - but at least I made it to the door! At NO time did they treat me with anything but kindness and concern - thanks again for customer service beyond the call of anyone's duty!!! Name supplied

Hard workers - 5/8/07 it is to my amzement that no-one seems to be very interested with hard workers. like the art festival! the crown the chemist, everwhere, well most of us!!! no-one ever talks about how well people are doing these days, so i am going to say something. s am at the old crown, has music every friday and saturday, and you alway see her working her backside off, cooking, making sure the staff know there job. even the local mayor thinks nothing, but himself. "she was flirting with the drey" oh my god, she had a deliverl, is that so shocking? please is there any chance that people can start to applause them people who actually work hard, or are them days gone! Name supplied

Cynicism from the Ed ?.. - 5/8/07 Shame on you ! Whatever next ?. I understand that the "Messing about with buses " proposal originated with the OCC and was backed up by the FTC. I would hate to think that they can't be trusted to carry out their promises.Surely we must all believe they have our best interests at heart ? Next you'll be telling me the Tooth Fairy doesn't exist and I couldn't stand that. If everybody was like you Tinkerbell would still be wandering about in Cyberspace. Perhaps someone from the TC would care to back up my hopes. A rather sad HGM

Chemist support - 5/8/07 In relation to the comment made about the chemist i feel the all members are staff are very helpful and polite. I do not feel that any of them need further training . It is a very pleasent atmosphere and i would without a doubt return there again. Name Supplied

Jane from HGM - 5/8/07 Most people, including me, say they don't mind criticism. Most people, including me, lie. What is even worse is criticism which is justified so Jane, my apologies, and despite knowing that if I get in a hole I should stop digging I will try to explain the connection between Boy Racers and the OCC plans for rerouting the buses. I believe, or maybe just hope, that the OCC are waking up to the fact that here in Faringdon we have a traffic situation which is far from ideal. I can sympathise with 'illegal' parking and speeding as most people (Not you or me of course) are occasionally transgressors. But boy racers I cannot tolerate. They are easily identified..oldish,small cars probably provided by parents, baseball caps, loud stereos and friends who encourage them to show off. In my opinion they are a danger to themselves and to the law abiding rest of us. It is my hope, possibly wishful thinking, that the Council may now be taking our traffic problems more seriously and if they are it seems obvious that a crackdown on Boy Racers should be the first target. Am I still in a deep hole ? HGM Ed: I think you may be a little optimistic about OCC. I heard that it was a local resident that made the suggestion. Don't hold your breath, OCC usually take ages to put in place traffic orders- given that they agree it can be done.

Images of England - 3/8/07 Glad to see you have found Images of England. also check out http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.1518 and use the navigation systems for West oxfordshire, berkshire and 'Faringdon' Name Supplied

Re: Boy Racers Beware. - 2/8/07 I'm sorry, but I don't understand. You're point is? Jane Boulton

Images of England- 02/08/07. HT, are you the one and the same who has many pictures shown on the following website http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/default.aspx If so, good job, good resourse for showing the historic context of Faringdon. Devil's Advocate Other ed. (HT) - Yes, thankyou for the comment.

A chance to get involved in a great motor sport race at Silverstone in September. - 02/08/07 On the 8th of September, the Britcar 24hr race starts at 16.30 at Silverstone. Present will be over 70 teams all competing to win the twice round the clock race at the world famous circuit. My team will be entering two Porsche 968's, built specially for this race and we are looking for 4-6 volunteers to help us with refuelling and some basic pit lane duties. Whilst you won't get paid for your time, you'll be right at the heart of all the action for the entire race. We'll provide fireproof overalls and balaclavas, food and drink and plenty of caffeine and Red Bull to keep you going through the early hours of the morning. This will be a unique chance to see how a race teams works over 24hrs as well as the highs and lows that happen over a long race. If you like watching F1 on television, this race is the equivalent to watching a whole season of F1 in one go! Ideally you'll need to have an interest in cars / motor sport and be able to work under pressure and act responsibly whilst representing the team. If you are interested then please give me a contact me using the details below. Richard Bernard Mob - 07764 176 276 / 01367 244 874 richardb@twlinbound.com

Boy Racers Beware ! 02/08/07 Just in case anyone missed this : Extract from FTC Planning and Highways committee meeting July10th 2007 Dr Wise proposed that the proposal put forward by OCC to change the traffic flow on the service road, north side of Market Place, so that the flow is East to West, with No Entry signs located at the western end of the service road be accepted with a sign at the other end indicating “Buses Only” This proposal was seconded and CARRIED. HGM

Are adults being phased out? - 01/08/07 I have just received my copy of the Oxfordshire adult learning handbook. From many hundreds of courses ranging over approximately 150 subjects, Faringdon is offering..........eight. (There are a couple of others listed under Faringdon but these are not in the town) I cannot really believe that there is 'no demand' for evening/day adult classes here, so why the dearth of opportunities? Perhaps as we are so keen on youth culture nowadays, Faringdon is being used as a pilot scheme for adults being slowly phased out. I think we should be told. Name supplied

top