IMPORTANT CHANGES TO FEED-IN TARIFFS - Monday 30th
October
There was an announcement in Government this
morning about proposed changes to the FITs .
They have announced that a
consultation has been launched on Phase I and will run until 23 December 2011.
Although the consultation is set to run until 23rd December it looks highly
likely that they will be hitting any installation not completed before 12
December by the lower tariffs.
The proposals are subject to an
eight-week consultation period. If implemented, they would introduce a new
tariff for schemes up to 4kW in size of 21.0p/kWh – down from the current
43.3p/kWh. Reduced rates are also proposed for schemes between 4kW and 250kW,
to ensure that those schemes receive a consistent rate of return.
Under the proposals, the new tariffs would apply to all new solar PV
installations with an eligibility date on or after 12 December 2011. Such
installations would receive the current tariff before moving to the lower
tariffs on 1 April 2012. Consumers who already receive a FIT will see their
existing payments unchanged, and those with an eligibility date on or before 11
December 2011 will receive the current rate.
You can find more details
here:
http://www.decc.gov.uk/publications/basket.aspx?file&filepath=11%2fmeeting-energy-demand%2frenewable-energy%2f3373-solar-pv-consumer-guide.pdf&minwidth=true#basket
You may be considering solar PV - or you may know of
friends/neighbours who are considering it and have already done a bit of
homework - or got quotes.
It would be a real shame for you/them if
you're not fully aware of the new deadlines as outlined above.
You may
THINK that they have got until April. It now turns out that you probably
haven't .
Sjoerd
|
Tip
Closure - 31/10/11
A cardboard box is not sufficient when you
need to get rid of rubble, ceramic tiles, electrical goods or a mattress. These
are all items I have taken to Stanford in the last month. At least there are
plenty of laybys for future use!.
Mark
|
Double
Yellow lines - what are they for? - 31/10/11
I agree
with the comments about the double yellow lines in Faringdon, I haven't lived
in the area long but have never lived anywhere before where the road laws are
so blatantly disregarded. Generally people here seem to consider themselves law
abiding but think nothing of continually parking on double yellow lines or the
pavements putting lives at risk and causing traffic disruption. I can only
assume there are a number of very lazy people living locally that have no
regard for others, I hope it doesn't take a serious injury or loss of life
before the Council or Police do something about it.
Name Supplied
|
Crimestoppers warning - Postal Scam -
31/10/11
Crimestoppers has recently received a number of enquiries
regarding a chain email warning people about a postal scam that could leave you
£315 out of pocket.
Follow the link for more information:
http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/fraud/types-of-fraud/common-scams/postal-scam-email-from-parcel-delivery-service-65455465
Name Supplied
|
Tip
Closure - 29/10/11
Putting out your large recycling
cardboard on the pavement sounds fine, unless it's raining, and/or, like us,
you usually have a row of cars parked on the pavement 18 - 24 inches from your
front door
name supplied
|
Transport to
Witney - 29/10/11
Depends what time you need to go there and
back, but (a) take the 66 from Faringdon to Botley, get off at Minns Industrial
estate, (bottom end of Botley Road) then take the S1 to Witney.
OR (b) you
can get the 66 to Kingston Bagpuize and then the RH Transport X15 to Witney.
The buses stop at Market Place Witney but not sure about the hospital
The journeys take a - about an hour fifteen mins, and b - about an hour
The
timetables are on the internet, just do a search for the routes - Stagecoach
66, Stagecoach S1, RH Transport X15
Name supplied
|
Faringdon to Witney by bus -
28/10/11
Does anybody have an idea of how I can get to Witney hospital
from Faringdon by public transport on a regular basis ?
Thank you
Name
supplied
|
Solar
energy plans for leisure centres in the Vale.
Two
leisure centres in the Vale of White Horse could benefit from a large new
investment in solar energy under new proposals to be considered by the district
council later this year.
The White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre in
Abingdon and Faringdon Leisure Centre have been earmarked as the two best sites
for the technology.
Installation of solar photovoltaic (Solar PV)
panels at public sites would provide an overall reduction in energy bills, but
the council would also benefit from financial returns in the form of government
subsidies for renewable energy.
The government scheme pays 43 pence
for every unit of solar electricity (kWh) generated plus an additional 3 pence
per kWh for any surplus energy created, which is fed back into the national
grid. These payments are guaranteed for 25 years and will increase in line with
inflation.
The opportunity to join the current government tariff ends
in March 2012 and a replacement scheme is expected to be less generous, so the
council are keen to benefit from the higher rates by implementing the plans as
soon as practicable.
Matthew Barber, Leader of the Vale of White Horse
District Council, said: “This promises to be an exciting investment for
The Vale; not only does it make sound financial sense through the energy
savings and from the government tariff, but it also reinforces the
council’s commitment to driving down energy costs for the long term.”
The council is set to invest £289,000 into the scheme from its
capital contingency budgets.
|
Halloween at the Folly Tower 31st October -
27/10/11
18.00-20.00 , Adults £2, Under 16s 50p, Under 11s
free
Climb the Folly Tower at night.
It will be Spooky! Spooky lights,
spooky people, weird things The scary character Jigsaw will be there to greet
you!
For more information visit
www.faringdonfolly.co.uk, email
enquiries@faringdonfolly.org.uk
or call 0845 475 8386.
Bring a torch
Adults £2, Under 16s 50p,
Under 11s free
|
Martyn
Joseph is performing in Faringdon - 27/10/11
......on
his upcoming UK tour having just returned from yet another successful Canadian
tour.
This is his first visit to the town, and the only one in Oxfordshire.
www.martynjoseph.net
November 24th 8pm. Corn Exchange. Tickets £15.00
available from Faringdon Community & Tourist Info, Gloucester
Street or http://www.imageacoustic.com
If you haven’t
seen him before here’s a snippet to give you some idea of the man and his
music :
‘In a year that marks 31 years in the business, Martyn proves
that there’s nothing predictable about his gigs – only that they can
make you laugh, cry, get you thinking, leave you reeling.
An acoustic
artist with an electrifying spontaneity, this colossally gifted and gracious
Welshman has five Top 50 hits to his name (including Dolphins Make Me Cry and
Please Sir) and has been in demand on both sides of the Atlantic for over two
decades.
Touring both solo and with the likes of Ani DiFranco, Art
Garfunkel and Jools Holland he has won fans everywhere with his uncanny melting
pot of material which ranges from rock to blues, jazz, Americana and even,
“funk folk”!
A mean guitar player with a powerful voice, Bob
Harris has praised the ”outstanding lyrical intelligence” of his
songs while he was voted Best Male Artist in the BBC Welsh Music Awards. Shades
of Springsteen, John Mayer and Bruce Cockburn there may be - but Joseph is
unique and no two shows are ever the same.
He has an enviable high
level connectivity with his audience whether it’s an arts centre in his
native Wales or a 5,000 strong crowd at the Royal Albert Hall.
“Britain’s best kept secret…..a challenging songwriter and
compelling and courageous live performer – MOJO
“He is one of our
most intelligent writers. He gets better and better like the finest of
wines” - Bob Harris,
BBC Radio 2 “Songs of social commentary as
much as love, with a rootsy sensibility” – Time Out
“A
depth, resonance and emotional punch which belies comparison” – Q
“One of the most charismatic and electrifying performers in Britain
today” –Tom Robinson, BBC 6
|
Stanford Tip
Closure - 27/10/11
I’m told ( a suggestion only) that
the reason for the closure is that now we have wheelie bins, there is not so
much need for the recycling site. I cannot see the logic in that. Before
wheelie bins we were able to put out our recycling items in boxes. There are a
significant number of people who must use bags for their rubbish collections,
These are small, and inadequate for any large or awkward items, and perilously
flimsy for glass. Large cardboard boxes will not fit in without tearing the
bags and before anyone helpfully suggests that we hack them up and flatten them
– it has been tried on occasions by me, to no avail. Garden refuse is
another problem. Some of us have nowhere to make a compost heap, and I for one
do not wish to have to collect my garden rubbish into council bags/bins and pay
for them to take it. I prefer the convenience of putting the rubbish into my
own large garden refuse containers and taking it away myself at my own
expense.
The nearest tips at present apart from Stanford are at Drayton
and Redbridge. Once again it seems that people who live here in Faringdon and
environs are going to be disadvantaged. When I go to the tip I would say that
is very well used, I have never seen it when there has been no-one else there
but me, and frequently there are long queues waiting.
Whoever made the
decision to close this facility no doubt will be congratulating themselves on
saving us a penny a month each on our council tax. Quite frankly, when I have
to pay out ten to twenty pounds or so for petrol to a visit a distant tip, it
will be occurring to me that a better, nearer place to deposit my rubbish will
be in front of the half empty, under used, splendid council offices that we are
currently funding.
Bystander
ED(GW) VWHDC site says 'Please
remember any extra recycling can be put out for collection next to your bin in
either clear or opaque sacks, carrier bags or cardboard boxes. 'Covers the
big cardboard boxes.
|
Stanford Tip
Closure - 26/10/11
Don’t worry there will be a better
service! You just leave your old TV , Washing machine etc. in the nearest
lay-by and the local council will call and collect it.
Name
supplied
|
Stanford Tip
Closure - 26/10/11
Stanford road tip closure, oh yes what a
great idea,NOT. What is wrong with these people? whether or not it's 2014 if it
closes where do we take our recycling then?
Progress Nah
Madness yep.
Name supplied.
|
Faringdon Local new show out on Faringdon
Radio- 26/10/11
In this show:
- Faringdon Youth
Centre FAZE
- Faringdon Shoe Box christmas appeal
Music from:
-
The Original Rabbit Foot Spasm Band
- The Fixed - Johnny Lightning &
The Bastard Rats
- The Black Hats
www.faringdonradio.com
|
Hope and
Aid Direct and the Brighton Marathon - 26/10/11
Thank
you so, so much for your generous donations of support to Hope & Aid
Direct. Our winter convoy went extremely well; and it has been really good to
see how your contributions have helped hundreds of families once again.
If
anyone would like to take part in Brighton Marathon for Hope & Aid Direct
on April 15 2012, please let me know as soon as possible (by 31 Oct).
Sarah
Oliver
mail@saraholiver.freeserve.co.uk
|
Community Message from Thames
Valley Police. - 25/10/11
Burglary – Hawthorn Road,
Faringdon
Between 15th and 25th October, a property in Hawthorn Road,
Faringdon, was burgled.
Offender(s) gained entry via a rear window and
stole jewellery.
If you have seen any suspicious looking people or
vehicles in the area or have any information relating to this message, please
call the police on 08458 505 505 and state you are responding to a Ringmaster
message.
Alternatively if you have information but wish to remain
anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
|
Thames Valley goes live with
101 - 25/10/11
Thames Valley Police is due to go live with
101, the new national single non-emergency number on 14 November 2011, which
will replace the 0845 8 505 505 number. Both numbers will run side by side
until the end of March, but if demand for the 0845 8 505 505 number drops it
may be discontinued earlier.
Calls to 101 (from both landlines and
mobile networks) cost 15 pence per call, no matter what time of day the call is
made, or the duration of the call.
Everyone calling the police for
non-emergency matters will now know exactly how much a call will cost them, and
can be assured of equal access whether they are on a pay-as-you-go mobile or a
home landline.
The routing will be based on the same system as 999
calls. If a caller is using a landline the routing will be based on the
caller’s postcode and the call will be directed to the same area’s
force. If a caller is using a mobile, the call will route using the mast that
the phone is transmitting from.
If a call is made to 101 within a force
area that has not yet ‘gone live’, the caller will hear a recorded
message telling them to redial using the relevant non emergency
number.
|
Have
your say on housing plans - 22/10/11
People are being
urged to comment on district council plans to help bring forward new housing
for the Vale.
The council is seeking feedback from members of the
public, land owners and other interested parties on an interim housing policy
which it has produced to help resolve catch up a deficit in its annual housing
requirements.
The Interim Housing Supply Policy (IHSP) sets out to
relax some of the current Vale Local Plan policies, to enable some housing
development within and next to towns and villages. This will be a carefully
managed approach. The policy has specific conditions which developers will have
to meet to ensure that sites coming forward are sustainable, deliverable and
that the level of growth proposed is proportionate for the location.
Once adopted by the council the IHSP will operate until 1,000 homes are
delivered, or until the adoption of the Vale’s core strategy, which will
set out how the district will grow and develop over the next 15 years.
Consultation on the draft plan runs until 4pm on Friday 25 November.
Cabinet member for planning Cllr Roger Cox said: “We’ve
identified that there’s a problem with our housing supply and we are
trying to proactively do something about it to bring forward some much-needed
housing. But while the provision of homes is a key objective of this council,
we are keen to balance that against the need to protect our towns and villages.
This interim policy is the best way we feel we can do this, while we finalise
where major housing growth will be planned for in the emerging core strategy. I
urge all parties to get involved with the consultation and take advantage of
this opportunity to have a say on our plans.”
The Vale’s
proactive approach is a result of a Government requirement that councils
maintain a supply of deliverable housing sites sufficient to meet their house
building targets for the next five years. Due primarily to the slow progress on
large Vale housing sites caused by the recession the council is now in a
position where it does not have a deliverable five year housing land supply.
The IHSP should help to restore this balance.
During the consultation
site proposals can be submitted for a screening opinion. Those judged suitable
will be invited to submit a planning application once the final IHSP is
formally adopted, hopefully in January or February next year.
More
information, and details of how to comment on the plan, see
www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/spds
ED(GW) If there is
anyone out there who understands the paper and what it means for Faringdon,
please do say. I lost the will to live when I tried reading it
|
Stanford Tip
Closure - 21/10/11
Bystander's dire warning about closing the
Stanford tip had me reaching for my 'Chain myself to railings ' kit.
But
first I checked the details and seeing that it will not be until December 2014
I may delay my protest for a while.
Power to the People !
Anna
Kist
|
Tesco
'consultation' - 21/10/11
Lucky you - and such coincidence
that you should have been ‘selected’ off the streets more than once
for such well paid sessions! Doesn’t sound like the market research that I
know. Very mysterious…I expect there’s some truth in what you say
about the Faringdon experience though in some way or other.
But – the
point - do you really think that Tesco, with its army of demographic
researchers, it’s marketing department, it’s merchandising resources
etc. are really going to rely on ten people plucked from the street to make a
decision on what they will stock? They may need the ‘genuine words’
of a few locals to incorporate into promoting their choice of merchandise,
(“nine cats out of ten prefer…”, remember?) but to genuinely
consult on what to sell? Get a grip.
Name Supplied
|
Tesco
'consultation' - 21/10/11
Tesco Consultation -
21/10/11
Yawn. Who cares whether Tesco did a consultation exercise or
not, or how. Tesco is coming. It'll stock what is best for IT. End of.
What is of much greater import is that the Stanford tip is going to
close.
Bystander
|
Tesco
'consultation' - 21/10/11
The agency that recruited members
of the public off the street for so called 'consultation' over Tesco's future
ranges, used a lady to carry out this task. She was stationed with a clipboard
outside of the main entrance to Budgens and I have now learnt that actually two
separate sessions were held at Sudbury House Hotel. At each session about 10
members of the public attended and all were paid cash in hand.
Name
supplied
|
Appeal
dismissed - houses on Sudbury House land - 20/10/11
Read the inspectors report - main objections are to do with
adverse impact on the conservation area
Ed(GW)
|
Tesco and
106 - 20/10/11
Here are details of our three district
councillors. This is information on the Vale of White Horse District Council
website and is in the public domain. Why not send them an email asking
politely why - as Faringdon's elected representatives - they sought no
concessions from Tesco vis a vis 106 agreements? It's the only way you'll get
answers.
Councillor Roger Cox:
http://whitehorsedc.moderngov.co.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=115
Councillor Mohindor Kainth
http://whitehorsedc.moderngov.co.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=860
Councillor Alison Thompson
http://whitehorsedc.moderngov.co.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=160
Name supplied
|
Tesco
'consultation'- 20/10/11
I was told( from a credible source)
that the people ( differnt ages, gender, stage of life) were taken to Sudbury
House to be asked the questions.
I have been paid £40 for similar
sessions in the past.
Name Supplied
|
Double
Yellow lines, what are they for? - 20/10/11
How come
London Street with its double yellow lines each side has up to 4 cars parked
overnight from the Corner of Swan Lane to the Market Place? Where are the
Police/PCSO/ Wardens? It is the same in Swan Lane. Double yellows and cars
parked all day? Why? Does no one care? Is that why the town is dying?
Colin
|
Tesco
'consultation'- 19/10/11
On second thoughts - if the
'consultation' was a PR exercise, that would make more sense. Tesco have no
need to consult anyone in order to decide what non food items they will stock,
they already know. Why would Faringdon be markedly different to any other small
market town which they descend on? The only reason to have such a consultation
is for show, or because they are required by law to do so.
Name supplied
|
Lost
parrot - 19/10/11
The happy news is the parrot is back
at home, it was found sat in a bush just outside Faringdon Leisure Centre by
some of our oldest son’s friends, I would just like to Thank them all so
much for helping with his safe return
Ruth
|
Too Many
Cooks Closing - 19/10/11
I understand that Adam has
decided to close Too Many Cooks where a few products from the Home Centre still
remained
This morning I needed a tap washer so more in hope than
expectation I asked if the box containing dozens of tap washers which I
remembered from 'the good old days' was still available....and it was !
Job done...time taken 30 minutes ! Cost 0.0p including VAT !
In future a
quick walk into town will be replaced by a car ride to a DIY store. My wife
will decide to come along for the ride, which means, as we will be passing
anyway, we'll just get a couple of items from Sainsbury's which I will be
assured will only take 5 minutes (fat chance)
I don't know how much it will
cost or how long it will take but it will be a lot more than 30 minutes and
0.0p.
I'll probably put up with the dripping tap.
Adam, You will be
missed.
Thanks for your past efforts !
HGM
|
Basil
the cat- missing - 19/10/11
Black 17 year old male cat
named Basil missing from Stanford Road/Ferndale Street. Basil is very frail and
very thin and doesn't tend to wander far but hasn't been seen now for 24 hours.
It may be that he has met his maker outside our garden but we would still very
much like to know.
We're very worried and would appreciate if anyone could
call me on 07836 208800 if they see him.
Many thanks
Mel Lane
|
Tesco
'consultation'- 19/10/11
As a former market research
interviewer I doubt very much whether what you were told, if what you say is
accurate, had much truth in it. No-one gets paid £40 for answering a few
questions. Generally speaking the interviewees get nothing. Also 'ten people
off the streets' (which sounds as though they were randomly chosen) for such a
survey is laughably unlikely. I am no great fan of Tesco, but I think you can
give them credit for having a rather more sophisticated and well organised
market research strategy than that. Perhaps you shouldn't believe everything
you are told.
While we are on the subject of what we have been told,
though, how about this?
When a new supermarket comes to town (a town like
Faringdon, say) supermarket employees are sent to survey the local retailers in
advance to see what the supermarket's local independent rivals sell. Items
which do not constitute the supermarket's usual lines but which could
reasonably be sold by it - additional food lines for instance - are then
stocked at an advantageous price, until the small retailers close for lack of
business. The supermarket then discontinues the additional lines and goes back
to its usual stock. Personally I have no idea whether this is true in every
case, but that came from a (non local) national supermarket manager with ten
years of experience in the trade, and he didn't mean just Tesco.
Oh well,
that's business I suppose!
Name Supplied
|
Tesco
'consultation'- 19/10/11
I was told the other day that a
marketing organisation selected 10 people 'off the streets' of Faringdon for a
survey on behalf of Tesco.
I believe the people were asked what non food
items they would like Tesco to sell in the Faringdon store
I understand each
was paid £40 for their time
I hope this isn't the extent of
Tesco's consultation.
Name Supplied
|
Father
Christmas with Thomas the Tank Engine- 19/10/11
Thursday 1st
Dec Watchfield
Friday 2nd Dec Watchfield
Saturday 3rd Dec Faringdon
Lights On
Monday 5th Dec Shrivenham
Tuesday 6th Dec Shrivenham
Wed
7th Dec Faringdon Pines, Orchard Hill, Westland Rd
Thursday 8th Dec
Stanford
Friday 9th Dec Stanford, Shellingford
Saturday 10th Dec
Faringdon Health Centre, Bloor Est, Sandshill
Monday 12th Dec Southmoor,
Tuesday 13th Dec Soutmoor, Kingston Bagpuize,
Wed 14th Dec Faringdon
Marlborough Gardens, Folly View etc
Friday 16th Dec Clanfield
Saturday
17th Dec Faringdon Stanford road, Tuckers Rd etc
Monday 19th Dec Uffington,
Fernham, Little Coxwell
Tuesday 20th Dec Great Coxwell, Colshill Drive,
Fernham Gate
Starting times will at around 5.30pm on weekdays and
4.30pm on Saturdays
Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to meet them
both.
Faringdon Rotary
|
Sadlers
and Party Magic - 17/10/11
I want to champion two
Faringdon Businesses that worked their magic to create a fantastic and
memorable 50th birthday for my husband. Simone, and Luke, from Party Magic on
Coxwell Street couldn’t have been more helpful and ordered in special 50th
balloons, banners and all manner of other stuff. Simone delivered the balloons
to the party venue, Sadlers in the Market Place, prior to our arrival and
created a great setting with our hosts Paul and Sietske. The venue of Sadlers
was just wonderful and Sietska was the perfect host, greeting our guests with a
glass of bubbly and showing them through to the lounge area. We were then
called through to the restaurant area where we were given, quite simply, a
banquet. The food was excellent and plentiful and the desserts were described
by our guests as “simply sublime, and devine” – difficult to
find words to describe perfection. Paul and Sietska must be congratulated on
their excellent food and unforgettable hospitality. I cannot recommend these
two businesses highly enough and hope other people will read this and support
them.
Marian
|
Lost
parrot - 16/10/11
Has anyone seen an African Grey
parrot lost last night, Sunday 16th October from Folly View Road area ? Please
ring Kevin on 07973191122, we would really like his safe return.
Thank
you
|
“Volunteering for the Vale” free lunch-
16/10/11
There are hundreds of 'volunteers who have given up
considerable time and effort to help individuals, groups, clubs and projects in
the district.'
Cllr Thomson, said: “The Chairman’s Community
Awards Lunch is a fantastic opportunity for us to show our appreciation to
those volunteers who make a significant contribution to life in the Vale, and
who, in many cases, make life that much easier for other people.”
The celebration is expected to be attended by more than 100 people,
including 37 of the 44 nominees. '
It is great the 37 people are to
be recognised for their contributions - but who are the other 63 having 'a free
lunch'
'Name Supplied
|
Section 106
and Tesco- 15/10/11
I appreciate your point of view but
disagree. I, along with many other shoppers, will do what we have been doing
for years. We'll buy our weekly shop in a supermarket (I regard Budgens as an
expensive convenience store) and our other shopping in the town. Personally, I
would not buy my sunday joint in a supermarket, I have to admit to going to
Highworth for it tho (embarassed face). I will still buy my bread in Lilians,
my pressies and cards in the Nut Tree, my cheese in Rob the Cheese tho the best
pasties are from the Esso garage.
I will appreciate not having to spend
money to take myself and two friends to Asda (separately, as we can't put all
our shopping in the boot in one trip). What Tesco will do is not only keep
people like me and my friends in the town but add an extra footfall, even if
small at first.
It would help if our shopkeepers were open when we have
occasions on rather than saying "we need a day off". Take a day off when
there's no-one around, not when we have people wanting to spend money! Or have
I got that wrong as well.
Name Supplied
|
Section 106
and Tesco- 15/10/11
The fact is Bystander, that whichever way
you look at it, our public servants let us down. Perhaps one or more of them
might feel that they owe us an explantion.
ThisMan
|
Section 106
and Tesco- 15/10/11
It is indeed a great pity that we shall
not benefit more from Tesco's future appearance in Faringdon. But it is easy to
criticise in hindsight.
We all refer the the Vale Council as if 'it' in
some abstract sense makes decisions or - in this instance - failed to ask for
concessions from Tesco. However, we have three district councillors who were
well aware of the town council's recommendations and whose duty it is, and was,
to act and do their best in the interests of Faringdon. Why should we blame
'The Vale Council' in its entirety for the omission if our district councillors
personally did not intervene and make the necessary representations when the
time was appropriate?
. Perhaps they did; perhaps they vociferously put
their point of view on behalf of Faringdon and were ignored or voted down, but
my guess is that they were just negligent and probably ignorant of the
procedure.
On a more general note, I will have to agree to disagree
with the previous poster on the suitablility of the Gloucester Street site. It
was not ideal, but there was nothing that could not have been overcome with
some determination, and it was close enough to the centre to ensure a viable
link. Any supermarket on that site would have been more beneficial in the
longer term to Faringdon town centre and it's future than any supermarket in
Park Road. It was, though, surely an accident of timing rather than anything
else which determined the outcome of the planning decisions, and we must simply
put up with it.
Once Tesco is established and has seen off it's main
competitor (ie Budgens) it will be the end of the town centre as we know it.
Which of us with hand on heart can say we make the effort to walk to the town
centre solely to visit the flower shop, the cheese shop, or the paper shop for
example? Most of us only visit the town centre retailers when we have a bit of
shopping to do at the supermarket. No amount of pretty walkways or free shuttle
buses will make a jot of difference to the fact that we shall be able to do
most (if not all) of our shopping in Tesco's much of the time, and most of us
can, and will, get there and back without having to go near the town centre.
How many of the remaining retailers will survive
that?
Bystander
|
Re
Burglaries - 14/10/11
It would not be a good idea to
have no lights on, curtains not drawn, no car on the drive and lay a trap.
ThisMan
|
Re
Burglaries - 14/10/11
I think you would find that the
Judges and Magistrates would listen if they were getting continuous complaints
from the Police Chief Constables and public, instead of carrying on with the
pathetic so called ”Justice” system we have now. And yes it is
patronising and insulting to put leaflets through peoples door because they
have the temerity to go out without heaven forbid leaving a light on. We should
all be able to leave our properties unlocked, let alone having lights on.
What next, the police stopping women in the street who have a short skirt
on and advising them to go home and change in case they get attacked and
raped!.
Don’t put the emphasis on the victim but turn it all on the
perpetrator.
Mark
|
Have you had
Photovoltaic panels installed? - 14/10/11
I'm updating my
list of those householders who have solar PV panels installed . If you already
have panels on your roof (or other structure) and you don't mind being on a
list, could you drop me an email (or phone) with your contact details?
And
- if you know of neighbours or friends in Faringdon who have panels, could you
let them know that I'd like to add them to the list also?
Many thanks!
Sjoerd Vogt
sjoerd@vogt.org.uk
01367-241707
|
Section 106
and Tesco- 14/10/11
As one who serves on the Planning &
Highways Comittee for the Town Council I can comment that the facts as stated
in the previous posting are sadly broadly correct. The FTC submitted a
'shopping list' to Tesco at the initial Planning Application stage. Many of
these are as already mentioned. Certainly when the Planning Appeals Officer
asked for any further comments nothing was asked for by the Vale.
My
thoughts are that this failure to bring significant benefits to the town can
ony be due to one of 3 reasons:
Spite- By the VWHDC having had to pay
£40,000 of our money in having to fight this appeal.
Incompetence- By
the VOWHDC not realising what could and should have been asked for, and for
which the FTC had fought and asked for.
Arrogance.- By the VWHDC thinking
the appeal would be lost and not bothering to make the request.
We are
all the losers by this and whether you are pro or anti Tesco's a golden
opportunity to benefit the town in other ways (not just the provision of a
Supermarket) has been squandered by the Vale.
As to whether Tesco's are
open to a benevolent gesture remains to be seen, in view of the fact they had
to pay a much higher legal bill than the Vale ratepayers because of VWHDC
favouring another Supermarket in a totally unsuitable location, one could
harldy blame them if they don't, but who knows Christmas is coming , goodwill
to all men etc. maybe they will be magnaminous in victory, I certainly hope so.
These are my own personal views only, no doubt other Town Councillors
and who knows even a Councillor from the Vale may wish to comment.
Kind
Regards
Nick O'Keeffe
|
Problems
emailing Talking Points - 14/10/11
A few people have
indicated that clicking the Talking Points links on the send us your comments
page doesn't generate an email that is sent successfully(http://faringdon.org/contact
us addresses.htm).
We're pretty certain it's to do with the way your
email provider expects to see multiple email addresses
If you have a problem
just email enquiries@faringdon-online.co.uk
Thanks very much
Ed(GW)
The email addresses for Talking
pints are
tp1@faringdon-online.co.uk and
tp2@faringdon-online.co.uk
|
No
££ for Faringdon from Tesco- 14/10/11
.... and we
pay their wages !
ThisMan
|
No
££ for Faringdon from Tesco - 14/10/11
I've just
discovered that VWHDC have not negotiated any (S106) gains for Faringdon with
Tesco.
A VWHDC spokesman said ' it was because when permission is
granted by a planning inspector (rather than by the council) there is no legal
mechanism for a S106 agreement to be put in place.'
Someone else (
knowledable in planning law) said ' The time for Section 106 benefits to be
secured was at the inquiry when the Inspector asked the question - if none were
requested by VWHDC it is a missed opportunity and by the time the decision is
issued too late!! '
When asked why a draft 106 agreement wasn't put in
place during the application development process (as it was with Bloor Homes),
VWHDC said ' I understand there were initial discussions with Tesco, but these
were not progressed to a draft agreement as the recommendation was for refusal.
If the Planning Committee had decided to grant permission instead then an S106
agreement would have been negotiated in full before permission was granted.'
That sounds to me as if VWHDC had made their minds up before going to
committee to discuss and determine the application.
When FTC agreed the
Tesco application ( as a consultee, not a decision maker), the conditions they
included were:
--contribution to the arts
-- relocation of industrial
land to Wicklesham quarry
-- upgrade of pedestrian access to and from Teco
and town centre
-- bus service to be provided to/from Tesco and the town
centre and outlying villages
-- access to allotments space behind Tesco and
provision of a water supply
-- free car parking in the town
centre
It's highly likely, had VWHDC progressed the S106 to draft stage,
that other benefits would have been identified- maybe contributions to the
Youth Club, the Scouts++
So unless Tesco are feeling generous an
opportunity for Faringdon has been lost.
Maybe there is someone out
there, experienced in planning, who can comment/make some suggestions.
Gene
Webb
|
Re
Burglaries - 13/10/11
Mark says the police should
asked magistrates and judges to impose stiffer sentences.It doesn't work like
that Mark. The police have no influence on the beaks.They are trying to help us
and keep us posted.
To accuse them of being patronising is unfair.
Name
Supplied
|
That
Flag - 13/10/11
Does the tatty remnant of rag
currently adorning the Pump House, represent the state of the Union or simple
neglect. I trust it will be remedied before November.
Mike Perks.
|
Celebrations to mark “Volunteering for the Vale”
- 13/10/11
I must protest at the news that a selection
of our volunteers are to be executed following the awarding of certificates, I
know the Vale are trying to save money but surely this is going too
far........"reception with certificate presentations taking place about 1.45pm
and a group shot shortly afterwards."
Kind Regards Nick O'Keeffe &
Stella Kenrick
|
Celebrations to mark “Volunteering for the Vale”
- 12/10/11
Residents from the Vale of White Horse who
give up their time to help others and their community will be recognised at a
special lunch in Abingdon this Saturday (15.10.11).
The 2011 Community
Awards Lunch “Volunteering for the Vale”, hosted by Cllr Alison
Thomson, Chairman of the Vale of White Horse District Council, will recognise
those volunteers who have given up considerable time and effort to help
individuals, groups, clubs and projects in the district.
Cllr Thomson,
said: “The Chairman’s Community Awards Lunch is a fantastic
opportunity for us to show our appreciation to those volunteers who make a
significant contribution to life in the Vale, and who, in many cases, make life
that much easier for other people.”
The celebration is expected to
be attended by more than 100 people, including 37 of the 44 nominees.
It
will be held in the Guildhall, Abingdon, between 12noon and 3pm and will
include a hot lunch followed by a certificate presentation.
Individual
photo opportunities will be available throughout the reception with certificate
presentations taking place about 1.45pm and a group shot shortly afterwards.
The event will be held at: 12noon – 3pm Saturday 15 October, Abbey
Hall, Abingdon Guildhall, Abbey Close, Abingdon, OX14 3JE
|
Garden
fencing wanted - 12/10/11
Hi. Can anyone recommend a
reasonably priced local Fencing contractor for replacing some panels and posts
on my neighbours fence which has blown down.
Regards Mark
|
New
shops in Faringdon- correction - 11/10/11
Pure Me will
be a clothes shop for women and children opening probably by the beginning of
November.
There is a notice in the window about a farm shop- but it is
advertising a shop elsewhere
Name Supplied
|
New
shops in Faringdon - 12/10/11
Threshers- an internet
cafe
GG Butchers - a butcher
Pure Me- a farm shop
Old Fish shop- a
hairdresser
Turners Tackle and Bait- a hairdresser
Budgens are to
refurbish, but reduce space by 1 third. Closure of the delicatessen has been
mentioned
There is already a Party Magic in the Coxwell St hairdresser
building
But perhaps you know different- or more?
ED(GW)
|
Missing -
child's pair of glasses- 11/10/11
My daughter lost her
glasses whilst playing outside with her friends this afternoon. They are pale
pink with Little Miss Sunshine emblems on each arm of the glasses. Lost in and
around Town End/Marines Drive area.
Please get in touch if you come across
them. She put them into her pocket and they most likely slipped out
somewhere!
Sheryl
|
Deckchairs wanted - 11/10/11
I am
looking to borrow 1 or 2 seaside type deckchairs for a wedding reception in
November. They will be for a display so will be well looked after.
Will
collect. chris_higgs@live.com
|
History
Archive Room - 11/10/11
The History Society have made
all their research findings and reference books available to everyone.
Just
visit the library and ask for the key to the room
There is an index in
the library, but you can now look at it on this website.
Click on
History Room archive index
Ed(GW)
|
ReThames Valley
Police.- 10/10/11
If the burglars when caught and sentenced,
were locked up for long periods then we wouldn’t need patronising e-mails
from the Police.
Why don’t they ask the Judges and Magistrates to
protect the community instead of being the offenders friend.
Personally you
should be able to leave your lights off, house unlocked and the crown jewels on
your dining table. Maybe we should bring in certain aspects of Sharia Law. You
don’t see many one handed burglars.
Mark
|
This is a Community Message
from Thames Valley Police.- 10/10/11
KEEP SAFE AS THE
DARKER NIGHTS DRAW IN
Thames Valley Police is working in partnership
with Local Authorities to keep you safe as the darker nights draw in.
People across the Thames Valley can pick up security advice from one of the
Thames Valley Police twitter sites, watch a video on youtube
http://tinyurl.com/6fstdsw about the importance of not
leaving their house in the dark, or receive a letter from their neighbourhood
team informing residents about patrols in their area.
Neighbourhood teams
will also be patrolling in burglary hot spot areas and leaving calling cards at
people’s homes if they come across a house in darkness to ensure the
occupants receive some crime prevention tips.
If no light is on in your
home, curtains are not drawn, and no car is in the drive, it’s an obvious
sign to an opportunist burglar that no-one is in. At this time of the year more
than any other it pays to secure your home.
There are a number of simple
and free ways to do this, all of which will help reduce the chance of your home
becoming the next target.
Visit a local retailer to pick up a 24 hour
segment timer for under £5. The timer can be used with a lamp, radio or
TV to give the impression that someone’s home. Remember to use an energy
efficient light bulb
Register your valuables on www.immobilise.com its free
and takes just a few minutes and if your valuables are stolen, will allow you
to tell the police, your insurer, and the second-hand trade to assist in
recovering your property and catch the thief
Keep valuables out of sight
Lock your doors and windows, if you have a UPVC door make sure you have
double locked it
You can also follow us on Twitter @ThamesVP alternatively
you can give us a ‘like’ on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/thamesvp
|
Trivial
Post - 8/10/11
Wicked past life
I never
claim I'm perfect, but, and this is rather sad
I don't think anyone could
say I'm really bad.
So why am I complaining about my lot in life?
I
just feel that I'm getting too much aggravating strife
Now here are some
examples that I feel are not quite fair
You may think they are trivial,
but, they make me want to swear.
My pond was full of gold fish but one
sad day I found
A heron had devoured some and the rest of them had
drowned
. 10,000 happy visitors strolling by the sea
a passing seagull
splattered one .Why did it choose me ?
I texted a slightly obscene joke to
a friend of mine.
But accidentally hit the key which published it
online.
On holiday I bought a cake, laced with LSD.
A policeman said I
must have known so he arrested me.
Did I cause the Wall Street Crash?
Resulting in World Panic.
Or did I launch the iceberg which scuppered the
Titanic ?
Whatever my transgression was it's too late to avoid it
I can
but hope, that in my past, I thoroughly enjoyed it
THATMAN |
|
Faringdon Local new show out on Faringdon
Radio - 8/10/2011
In this show there is:
Carolynne Taylor - Faringdon Dramatic Societies new production of Neil
Simons 'London Suite'
Simone Mini - Talking about her new Faringdon
business Party Magic'
Music: Joe Moore
The Alfonz
Lady Bear
www.faringdonradio.com
|
Sharing
a council office - 8/10/11
If the council didn’t
want us ratepayers to make our views known, then they shouldn’t ask us.
Why should we pay for their wasteful offices. If it is going to save us money,
then why don’t they do it. Why ask if they aren’t going to do
anything, and if nothing happens, why doesn’t anyone explain instead of
just saying it isn’t in our interest. Whose interest is it in then to stay
in two lots of offices?
A.N.Other
|
Sharing
a council office - 8/10/11
I thought that VWHDC had
already decided that local offices are not needed - Wantage and Faringdon were
closed sometime ago without consultation. The message was that the services
were available online
I have heard it said that the number of employees
in both South Oxford Council (Wallingford) and VWHDC had halved in recent
months..
Accommodation costs are often the next biggest spend after employee
costs in a Council. The costs of this accommodation is spread proportionately
over services, so when a council says a service costs £'000, it includes
a share of accommodation and other overheads. Clearly the fewer the services
there are to take their share, the bigger a sum has to be budgetted by a
service, making it more expensive and maybe not cost effective. It's a downward
spiral of cost effectiveness.
Hopefully VWHDC have a plan to reduce the
costs of accommodation - not something that can be done at a stroke, but there
should at least be a plan/timescales.
My guess is that the people who voted
for keeping the Abingdon office were employees, Abingdon residents and elected
councillors. I suspect South Oxfordshire councillors would want their building
to be retained and similarly VWHDC councillors would want the Abingdon one.
Turkeys don't vote for Christmas
I completed the survey some time
ago- but I don't think there was anything about the potential savings, the
value of the building, which building ( Wallingford or Abingdon), or the
potential reduction in front line service costs- so views were sought without
having the full facts.
Hopefully both councils have researched all of this
and do know the financial implications- in the meantime services are being
cut
Grumpy old Cynic
|
Sharing
a council office - 06/10/11
"So the majority think
it's a good idea, but it's still not going to happen..." Quite often a majority
think something is a good idea, but quite often the majority give a simple
answer to a simple question and haven't considered the pros and cons in any
depth, and can't be bothered to consider the long term implications or think
past the obvious (ie saving a bit of money in the short term) It isnt always a
good idea to 'go with the flow'.
So who are these objectors, then?
Perhaps you should enlighten us instead of hinting, because I certainly can't
guess.
Bystander
|
Bin
bags - 6/10/11
Has anyone had a new supply of
green/pink/compostible bags from the council this year? Still got most of pink
ones but green ones getting low and compostible ones ran out months ago. The
service ran from 4 Oct and we got a year's supply, I believe. Do I need to get
on the blower to the council about my/everyone's missing bags? Maybe we're
supposed to supply our own after the first year.....
Name
supplied
ED(GW) VWHDC say 'these are being delivered out to the vale
of white horse area at the moment and has been for around a week. Unfortunately
we are not given a time frame or day. If you have run out of green sacks please
leave out clear or white swing bin liners, supermarket carrier bags or
cardboard boxes. If you run out of pink sacks you will need to advise us so we
can arrange an alternative collection.
|
Survey
on VWHDC services- an opportunity to give your views on street
cleansing- 6/10/11
www.plus4.co.uk/valesurvey
Please click on the link
above to complete the latest residents’ panel survey.
In this edition
we would like your views on waste and recycling,
parking enforcement, community safety, sport and leisure and the
council in general.
Your views are really important and help us to make
improvements to your council services.
To keep you updated you can access a
newsletter with the results from the most recent survey on
http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Vale_newsletter_autumn2011_colour.pdf
- this includes what you told us in the last survey and what we are doing in
response.
ED(GW) The newsletter says
'Visiting council
offices
We asked for your views about the principle of Vale of White Horse
and South Oxfordshire’s district councils sharing an office.
Whilst 72
per cent of you supported the principle of moving to one office to save money,
56 per cent felt it was important to keep a council presence in Abingdon.
Councillors considered what you told us and felt that at the moment it
is not in the best interest of residents in both districts to share a council
office.
However, this will be reviewed in future and we continue to work on
projects to improve the way you access council services, wherever you
live.'
Full report on
http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Spring%202011%20Vale%20panel%20report.pdf
So
the majority think it a good idea, but it is still not going to happen. I
wonder who the objectors were!!! I think I can guess.
|
re RSPCA
cats - 5/10/11
Please don’t worry, I’ve
contacted the Wilts branch of the RSPCA, the cats won’t be put to sleep on
Friday – the RSPCA will never put a healthy animal to sleep. The named
cats have temporary accommodation but the RSPCA are desperate for permanent
homes for them and of course donations towards the care of all the animals.
Name Supplied
|
Illogical Ornithological Behaviour -
4/10/11
Until recently my garden has been a haven for birds (feathered
variety).
High hedges provided shelter and berries. My pond offered
drinking and bathing facilities and I provided food. A supply of bricks and a
fairly good aim made it clear to neighbourhood cats that they were not welcome.
However for the past few weeks the birds have been avoiding me
Even
the heron no longer drops in to scare my fish.
As a youth I dreaded the
day when I would be told about “THE BIRDS AND THE BEES” but my
parents avoided the subject so in that respect my education was never
completed.
So can anyone enlighten me ?
Have the birds disappeared from
Faringdon fearing the arrival of WICKED TESCO'S or is it just my garden that
has received adverse comments from “Our Feathered Friends Tripadvisor
?
GrumpyGP
|
Jane
Rimmer's Coffee Morning for Macmillan- 4/10/11
I
would like to thank all the people who attended my Coffee Morning at home on 30
September. It was a lovely sunny day and we raised a fantastic £396.00
for Macmillan in Oxfordshire.
I would especially like to thank all the
people who gave raffle prizes, bought raffle tickets and supported in other
ways. It was a great day!
Thank you so very much.
Jane
|
RSPCA
cats needing home by Friday- free - 4/10/11
There are
a number of cats that need a home before Friday or they will be put down
because of lack of space;
Prince,Jasmine,Tippy,Roo,Ravioli & Nancy;
http://www.rspcanorthwilts.org.uk/adoptions.php?cid=3
-
Name Supplied
|
Sing
Faringdon starts again Tues 1st Nov - 2/10/10
An
informal group for everyone who likes to sing, just for fun - no auditions, no
need to have a 'good' voice, mostly unison songs.
We sing well known modern
and traditional songs- Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, musicals +++
Starting Tuesday Nov 1st, for 6 weeks.
To be held in the Roman
Catholic Church, Marlborough St from 7pm - 8pm. £2 per session.
New
singers welcome. Please contact me for the song sheets.
All proceeds
given to local charities.
genewebb@rocketmail.com
01367
242222
|
Re Missing
Kitten - 2/10/11
In reply to Kelly who posted on 26/08/11
that the missing kitten we found in Tuckers Road may be hers.
Sorry, but
the kitten did not have a chip. It was checked at the vets.
Name
Supplied
|
Young cat-
lost or free loading - 2/10/11
Dear Katrina,
Our garden
is very near Highworth Rd and we have a young black and white cat with two
splodges on her face (one on her nose) - she hasn't been home a lot recently or
eating much food - does she sound like your visitor? She does seem to have made
friends with a young black cat in the area.
If so, please be assured she is
not lost, is much loved and cared for, and much missed by her family. Please do
not feed her, and we'd be grateful if you could not allow her in your house.
Many thanks, Name Supplied
|
Oven
cleaning service - 01/10/11
Can anyone suggest a
reliable oven cleaning service? Dont bother recommending Ovenu (Swindon) I have
been let down by them with no explanation or apology.
Name
Supplied
|
Peal of Bells
- All Saints- 1/10/11
Tuesday 4th October between 1000am and
1pm.
5000 changes will be rung without any repeats
Impressive!!
|