faringdon-online community web site home	talking points
	april 2008

Town Meeting - 30/4/08 There were about 40 people at the meeting on Monday 28th - a good turnout (comparatively), even though 10-15 were councillors. The most discussed subject was the lease of the Corn Exchange - still under discussion, but importantly, waiting for a structural survey report that VWHDC have commissioned. Before FTC even think about signing a lease(term not mentioned) it is essential to understand the order and cost of the maintenance work that is needed. There seems to be a great deal - the roof leaks, the floor needs renewing, the cloakrooms need to be updated, decoration, sound proofing. Cncllr Leniec said he hoped to hold a town meeting to discuss the terms of the lease and the cost of repairs. FTC has budgeted £16k for double glazing. One councillor said 'don't be under the illusion it will solve the (sound) problem' and indicated that much more ££ is needed. The Corn Exchange can still be used for some music events VWHDC are to close the Cash office in September. In the light of this FTC may move their offices to the Pump Rooms, but to some extent this depends on whether a lease for the Corn Exchange is signed, and the amount of VWHDC queries and information FTC staff have to deal with. Pump House £80k of 106 monies will be used to install a disabled lift to the 3rd floor, and towards making the theatre usable. It was suggested it could be used for some music events and an arts centre. No usage or income figures were available. One councillor said it is taking time to build up usage. Town Park(Behind the library) Using money from JET, the paths have been improved and planting is to start soon Willes Close. The covenant stipulates that the land should be used for as open space for public use. FTC are finding out if allotments could be put there. FTC feel they can no longer just leave the land as it is, as it is hazardous. Alternatives are to sell it back to OCC(it used to be part of a school) or prevent access with secure fencing. Christmas Lights 6 Festoon lights have been purchased to replace some disappointing ones- I think for Marlborough St 400 new houses. Planning permission has now been agreed, meaning that the 106 agreement is agreed too. It includes new cricket/ rugby pitches and pavilion, £80k for the Pump House(payable when the 1st house is built), £80k for the Corn Exchange(payable when the 100th house is built est after 1 year), the base for the skate park(should be done when the pitches are establshed), extension to the Folly Park The cricket pitch has to be in place for at least one year before the current pitch can be built on. FTC will manage an est £280k of 106 money. There is some delay in the Bloor Homes timetable. It is not known whether the down turn in housing market will have any effect. Folly Park. Bloor Homes are to fund the maintenance of the Folly Park extension. No term was known. It is currently thought that they will give money to be invested and used to fund the maintenance- forever! Rogers Concrete and adjacent site. Potential developers have had meeting with FTC Planning committee. No specific information was put forward. Bus Shelters. The installation program is complete. A contract for monthly cleaning has been agreed. Tescos on JDS sight. Not mentioned The Chamber is producing a Town Guide for delivery to all residents(8K print run). A Faringdon Community Interest Company has been set up. 'A' boards on pavements - yet to be resolved. Another French Market 7/9/08 in London Street. More evening markets to be organised. Seeking to improve in town Cycle routes and between villages. Taken over the Visitvale tourist website Retail Group Buy back scheme for parking Seeking more stalls for the Thursday market Festive Faringdon Party in the Park, 28/6/08, in the grounds of Faringdon House. Faringdon Association of Residents have requested that flashing speed warnings are installed to deter speeding motorists Siobham Vinall has resigned as an FTC councillor A number of councillors indicated that they would really like more residents to attend Council meetings, especially Venues committee and Planning. I suggested that JET, Traffic Advisory and JEFF groups should report to the town meeting. The next Town Meeting will be in October/November so that town people can input to FTCs budget process earlier in the process. I have tried to report this accurately - do let me know if you know of anything that needs to be changed, or items to add. Gene Webb

Re : Tescos/JDS Site - 30/4/08 Having worked at JDS and speaking to a few members of staff who are still there, there was, at some point, a possibility of Tescos buying the site, for whatever use. However, according to them, the business is now recovering and has even taken some of the staff back on, and there are no plans to sell the site at present. Whether or not this is purely management's way of keeping staff happy for the time being I don't know, and I really wouldn't put anything past them, but this may all be something and nothing, and certainly nothing to panic about for the time being. I hope that the 2 guys I spoke to are right, and that more importantly everyone's jobs are safe, but I think this is a case of 'wait and see' for now. Lyn Sheppard

BIG FARINGDON GIG 5th July - 30/4/08 BFG on tour - only original music - NO COVERS As part of the work to promote this years BFG we will be having two BFG music nights at the Port Mahon in St Clemments Oxford. Here you will have the opportunity to hear some of the bands that will be playing at the July BFG at the junior school. The first date is Tuesday 10th June - the line up: The Dacoits Disclosure But Then Again... The second date is Wednesday 25th June at the Port Mahon - line up details are not yet complete but will include: Chalk But Then Again... All the bands have myspace links on the BFG website. More details on www.bigfaringdongig.com Sean

Transport from oxford - 30/4/08 Planning on going out in oxford for a night out and wondered if anyone knew of any cheap taxis? hopefully less then £40 which seems waaay too much! Matthew

Old Railway Bridge - 29/4/08 hi everybody i am new to site but not new to the area. but after reading the agenda for the town council for the first april i read at the very bottom about the application to english heritage for the old railway bridge to be listed . about time too but my thoughts on the subject is the landowner who's land it is on should be made to remove the horrible concrete and repair it at there cost Name Supplied

A Big Thankyou - 29/4/08 This a big thank you to the very kind people who helped my mother Joan Millikin last Thursday 24th April, when she fell and broke her hip as she crossed the road to the Portwell. She is in Great Western Hospital recovering from an operation to pin the fracture. Yesterday she was able to take a few steps. She thinks two people who came to her aid, and provided an umbrella to shield her from the rain, were visitors. Whoever you are , Thank you very much! Angela Dewey

"Sam Kelly's Station House" - 29/4/08 Sam Kelly voted British Blues Connection "Drummer of The Year" for five years running is a versitile ,creative,energetic player. Sam has a vast experience playing with some of the most influential performers on the stage to-day and yesterday. Sam brings his band of equal talented players to the junior school on May 5th as part of the MayFest. www.maddfaringdon.co.uk

RE: Freeview reception - 29/4/08 I live in Cromwell Close and have no problems with getting Freeview, no matter what various websites might suggest! I look forward to meeting you in the close in due course. Name Supplied

More Baggies - 27/04/08 I have been the manager of two large supermarkets (not local) over ten years. The cost of the free carrier bags, to the supermarkets, is a tiny fraction of a penny each. To charge 5p or more per bag now is scandalous. The uptake of the throw-away bags will drop considerably but will level out and still be there. It would be easy, though not as profitable to switch to biodegradable bags. The supermarkets say they are going to donate the profits from their bags to environmental charities, but I can guess it will be only a small percentage of what that profit will be. As consumers, you will never know. The environmental lobby has manipulated public opinion in order to raise it's profile, and politically ambitious environmentalists have cottoned on the usefulness of the 'plastax' in its campaign. Large retailers are only too happy to go along with this under the banner of being environmentally friendly, it is to their advantage, and public opinion is easily manipulated. The CBC has rightly, reasonably, and honestly (in their response to the Scottish Parliament paper) put their arguments - drawing on the DEFRA poll - against a plastic carrier bag tax. Of course they wish to defend their industry. Virtually all the members of the consortium are, however packaging firms who supply all kinds of packaging, jute bags, biodegradable plastics, paper etc. though, and will be able to recoup their losses on the non-bio plastic bags in other ways; furthermore they have cited research not necessarily carried out on their instructions, but a variety of studies carried out by independent bodies - which you will have seen if you got to the end of the paper I mentioned. My principle objection to the local ban on free carriers though is that a self appointed, unelected group of putative guardians of our environment can bully local retailers into a course of action which affects us all, and although superficially (e.g. Irish 'plastax' results in drop of 90% in waste) looks hugely (and misleadingly) successful, none the less will not be quite as environmentally gainful as it sounds, when you consider the eventual consequences, such as the increased use of paper, other plastics and so on. I am not on any bandwagon, merely trying to present a reasoned answer to what I think is a misguided course of action. There are other more effective ways of reducing plastic waste - of all sorts. I have read the paper which you mention, and there is nothing there to change my mind. (nor, in fact some others' minds judging by the responses to it) My argument is of course pointless, as this is too good an opportunity for the big retailers and politicians to miss, and is a 'done deal'. We will meekly accept it, and in five years time we shall have forgotten all about it and there will be another cause to latch on to. Name supplied

RE: Freeview reception - 27/4/08 Thanks for all the tips .... It's a rented house so I'm not sure yet if I could get SKY if Freeview fails ... or if I can afford it to be honest .... but fingers crossed we might be able to get some sort of reception, even if it involves fitting a bigger aerial! Now, could anyone recommend a good aerial fitter ...?! We're moving from Stanford in the Vale so not too far, and I know Faringdon reasonably well as I publish Community Times magazine. Good news (I hope) for anyone in the Berners Way area as my daughter will probably start delivering the magazine there for me!! Alison

RE Plastic bags - 27/4/08 Dear name supplied, its interesting how you claim we all jump on the band wagon when in fact you have jumped on one yourself. The web site you quote is not a defra survey it is a response from the CBC to the scottish carrier bag tax. The CBC are the carrier bag consortium who describe them selves as... "The Carrier Bag Consortium is a group of major UK carrier bag suppliers who have uniquely joined together to fight the possibility of a carrier bag tax being imposed in the UK. Such a tax would wreck jobs and businesses and do no good for the environment." Do you really think the views you so easily defend are unbiased in anyway? or are these a group of people out to defend there right to make money by selling carrier bags in the same way that M&S want to make money selling Jute bags or whatever. There is no difference either way someone is out to make money on the issue. Which band wagon you join depends on whether you like plastic derived from oil, that dwindling resource sending up our fuel bills and causing wars or recyclables from grass and trees and replaceable sources that look nice to the eye. A brief search came up with this link if your willing to balance your reading. It provides the other side of the argument with references. On balance I like less packaging and bags altogether to save me putting the bins out when its raining. www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/upload/public/attachments/1204/London%20Councils%20Shopping%20Bag%20Consultation.doc Mark

Bluebells - 26/4/08 Thanks for the Bluebell message! Am on my way with the camera! Jill Dean

Freeview - 26/4/08 We live on Stanford Rd, which Berners Way is off and we get a decent Freeview signal. Every couple of months it goes a bit wobbly and we have to rescan for channels and then its fine again. Mel

Badbury Clump Bluebells - 26/4/08 In full bloom - lovely GW

Freeview reception. - 26/4/08 I live in Bennett Road which according to various websites cant receive a good freeview reception due to the postion of the Folly and its impact on the signal from Oxford. But, if you have a decent aerial then you can get a good picture. You could alwaysgo the Murdoch way if necessary. Colin

Freeview - 26/4/08 The upper end of London Street gets freeview OK, provided you have the correct aerial. HT

Help - freeview reception? - 25/4/08 Hope someone can help me out here! I'm probably moving to Cromwell Close, Faringdon (off Berners Way) in a couple of weeks and have just arranged with BT to sort out the phone line and broadband, and part of the package includes a free BT Vision TV recorder box - fantastic, and saves me sorting out a freeview box. But then I checked on a couple of digital TV sites and it says that I'm unlikely to get reception there .... Does anyone here live in that part of Faringdon? Do you get Freeview reception? Please help!! Alison Ed(GW): I know Harding Close get freeview, but you may need to check the aerial is good enough. Welcome to Faringdon- if you're new!

Plastic Bags - 25/04/08 Yes, a very good move - for M&S, and other smart retailers with slick marketing machines, who will eventually make a very good profit on their bags, - some of which profit may go to environmental projects. For anyone who wants to read something sensible on this issue go to DEFRA survey (The page may appear blank initially - just scroll down a bit) I doubt that many of you will bother. Too much trouble, and easier to just jump onto a popular bandwagon. name supplied

VWHDC Sustainable Strategy meeting - 25/4/08 A Community Strategy is being prepared by The Vale Partnership, which brings together the Council and service providers across the Vale( private and voluntary as well as public). The partnership would now like you to be involved in agreeing the actions that it will undertake to tackle the issues that you have helped to identify. Forums are being held across the Vale for your to comment on and discuss a draft version of the new Vale community sustainable strategy. You are welcome to come to attend the forum which is most convenient to you Wed 30th April ........Abingdon Guildhall Tue 13th May ...........Wantage Civic hall Thurs 22nd May .....Faringdon Corn Exchange Tues17th June .......Cumnor Village Hall All 7pm - 9pm A number of special consultation events are planned for June and July this year about the Core Strategy Preferred Options document, which will set out a number of things including the broad locations where the major housing, employment and other community uses should go. Details of the special consultation events will be published on www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk in the local press and at VWHDC offices as they become available VWHDC Head of Community Strategy See full press release for more details

Madd May Fest - 25/4/08 Many things have been said about Ian Parker."Excellent, beautiful,the guitar solo was simply amazing,like a megaton lightning bolt entering the cerebrum, travelling all the way to the coccyx and back several times.Never seen a better performance. If he is playing nearby, do not miss one of the finest acts on the circut today. If you do, you will miss something very special" Ian Parker Band. M.a.D.d. MayFest. Monday 5th May www.maddfaringdon.co.uk

Plastic Bags - M&S Oxford - 25/4/08 The Oxford store are offering free bags(long life? jute?) until 5/5/08. After then they will charge 5p for their normal carrier bags. Proceeds from these sales will go to an environmental charity/organisation. Sounds like a good move Gene Webb

BIG FARINGDON GIG Saturday 5th July - 25/4/08 We have teamed up with Oxfordshires newest music magazine 'Oxfordshire Music Scene' to help us with publicity. This is a free glossy quarterly music magazine that will concentrate on local Oxfordshire music. The current copy (freely available in Budgens, Sandwich Phillers and Saddlers and The Crown) features a double page spread on one of the bands due to play at BFG 'Not My Day'. Last few days to get free tickets for the BFG - take the music quiz on our website www.bigfaringdongig.com Sean

Annual Town Meeting - 24/3/08 This annual meeting is on Monday 28th April at 1930 in the Corn Exchange This is an opportunity to express your views to the town council, possibly in the presence of our VWHDC and County councillors. There are many issues: The future of the Corn Exchange The closure of the VWHDC cash office Dangerous Bus Lane in the town centre 106 progress- Folly Park, Skate Park Pump House plans Proposed Tesco - and I'm sure there are more topics It is much more effective if lots of people go to the meeting - please do Gene Webb

Hush Refunds - 23/4/08 The last of the requested refunds have now been posted, either by hand or first class mail. If anyone has requested refunds but not received their money by Monday 28th April please let us know by emailing bookings@hushfest.co.uk. Martin Phillips

HUSH festival - 23/4/08 No, no refund or acknowledgement as yet. Come on HUSH organisers, don't let us down! Name Supplied

Madd May Fest - 23/4/08 'The Soothsayers, pretty much from the first note it became obvious that not only could these boys play, but they could do so with soul in their bellies. Rhythm and melody slipped across each other effortlessly as the brass section chased each other across solid fields of drum and bass, guitar and vocals. this is a bandwhich is obviously unafraid to experiment, to flater even,which is why their songs were able to meld harmonies and riffs that acknowledge all manner of influences while maintaining their own imprint. They also made it look so very easy, which is always a sign that you are watching and listening to a group that is master of its own destiny.' Excerpt from Ray's review of the Soothsayers in Faringdon May 2007. "Soothsayers" A group of musicians playing a fusion of nu Afro beat and Dub; a cultural collision created by movement of people;music with vision and a message;music for all people from all cultures and nations. Catch them on sunday 4th May @ the junior School Faringdon. The M.A.d.d. MayFest www.maddfaringdon.co.uk

He who hesitates ? ? ? - 23/4/08 The implication of Raoul van Eijndhoven's comment is that someone has deliberately destroyed some daffodils donated by our Mayor because they either don't like daffodils or don't like the Mayor. He hesitates to give his reasons because he fears being made unpopular. If everyone took this view and being popular was a prerequisite to posting this would be a very boring site. So please R van E publish your suspicions as "Name supplied" and we'll all pretend we don't know it's you. HGM

Re: Dog poo and daffodils Update on the daffodils...- 22/4/08 Well more sad news. Now most of the Daffodil patches around the Folly have been destroyed. The additional destruction of the Daffodils happened very shortly after Gene put the initial response on Talking Points (April 13, 2008). The bulbs were donated by our mayor, John Gillman, to The Friends of the Folly. Why oh why have they been destroyed... Well I have an idea but it will not make me very popular. So I will keep it to myself for the moment. Raoul van Eijndhoven

Re: The Good old National Trust - 22/4/08 Personally I have no problem with the introduction of paying at the White Horse Hill car park, if the money goes back in to the maintenance of White Horse Hill and the Ridgeway. There are several alternatives if you do not want to pay for parking at White Horse Hill. * There are plenty of other car parks around the ridgeway (close to the WhiteHorse) where you do not need to pay. * Become a member of the National Trust. - You can park for free and it will give you loads of other perks when visiting other National Trust Areas (e.g. Free entrance at Stone Henge). * Move to Uffington or Woolstone. Raoul van Eijndhoven

Great a distibution center in/near Faringdon - 22/4/08 Especially if you are a frequent user of the A420. It seems that the A420 has already become the short cut/ratrun for several large distribution/haulage companies in Swindon. If Tesco will have it's disti center here in Faringdon, next to the A420. It will mean even more lorries. Great... Raoul van Eijndhoven

Hush Festival - 22/4/08 Has anyone had a refund yet? Sent my request about 2 weeks ago and not even an acknowledgement. Name Supplied

Youth Choir - 20/4/08 As a fund raiser for the excellent Youth Choir two local bands are giving their services towards this event." The Folly's," a Trev Williams project and "Disclosure" Please come along and support this event. This is part of the M.A.D.D. MayFest on Sunday 4th May, 3-30pm @ the junior school. This is a free event. Donations towards the choir. Any person interested in the open stage on folly hill Monday 5th May, please get in touch with Sam on 01367-243806 or through www.maddfaringdon.co.uk

Tescos and JDS - 19/4/08 i know what site it is the jds site is so small in distribution terms. for a company like tesco. tescos would only buy for two reasons one is hightlighted by another poster. which to stop others buy it which i do belive is now against the law. and the other is put a retail shop. while the vwhdc council and with consent of are own town council. allow the growth of faringdon it will bring the town to attention of some of the big boys. as with the town being in the 6000 population mark. with the extra 500 houses at the end of park road. that will bring the town into 7000 mark. which will be of interest to tescos as they will be working on the catchment area. if a store place here in the town goes ahead. it will bring that hard to get permission for a store area of the cotswolds into play eg gl postcode of lechlade. so for all that support the town and the extra growth . you will not be able to have new house without interest from some of the big names that some hate so much fact. Simon Cook

Budgens - 20/4/08 I've just noticed that Budgens are now offering a dry cleaning service. I do feel it's a pity that in a small town such as Faringdon, that the supermarket doesn't consider other retailers. Wouldn't it be better for everyone if Budgens offered just a good range of staple food and household goods rather than compete with the smaller retailers for things like cards, papers, magazines, medicines++ It is well known that supermarkets have caused many smaller businesses to close. Isn't in Budgens interest in the long term, as well as the other shops in Faringdon to keep the town centre active and alive? I know this is not the spirit of current day commercialism, but I think it would be good to be more coopoerative. Name Supplied

Tesco's - 18/4/08 But we are not talking about the Town Centre Simon, it's the main trunk road through the town next to a number of large industrial units and sites. Therefore, it would be an ideal site for distribution, but obviously not to the scale of Didcot. Name supplied

tom you are right - 17/4/08 tescos distribtion unit at didcot is one of only two chilled and frozen units in the uk. one for the south and the other is somewhere up north. when i worked there i think we had a turnover of up to 600 artics a day in and out. cant quite see that happen in jds. it is bad enough with bugdens two artics a day facing the wrong way in a one way street. simon cook

the good old national trust - 16/4/08 having used the white horse hill car park for the best part of my whole life ,and in more recent years four times a week for training as raf reservist and currently training for yorkshire three peaks for heart research. i was told by the trust at coleshill that i am not a local. you have to live in uffington or woolstone to have a free parking pass. so this has cut short my use of the nt carpark as i cant afford to pay a pound ever time i use the park. with the goverment trying to get us out about the trust is trying to fleece jo blog. i would not mind but the nt is given most of it land. and sheep do most of up keep of white horse hill. still i could aways push bike up to keep fit. just wonder what other thougts of this new idea of the trust. but to all you doggie walks out there and mountain bikers badbury clumps will be next??? simon cook

Tesco's? what ? - 16/4/08 I have to say the idea of tescos having a distribution unit in faringdon is stupid. Didcot houses, from what i beleive, one of the biggest Tesco distribution units in the south. Tom

What are you putting back into the Community? - 16/4/08 Is there a summary of the town councils expenditure and bad debts available before the the Annual meeting on the 28th so we can actually see what we have put back ( or the town council has decided to put back) into the community? Name Supplied Ed(GW) I think you'll have to go to the FTC office and ask for a copy of the accounts

St George's Day Parade - Sunday 20th - 16/4/08 Scouts, cubs, beavers from the King Alfred area (Faringdon, Stanford, Watchfield, Shrivenham +++) will be assembling to leave theJunior School at 1330, to parade down Gloucester St, through the square and on to the Church in clebration of St George's Day

Tesco rumour - 14/4/08 From what i've heard Tesco have brought the land to stop any other retailers buying the land. They then leave it for upto 2 years then either develop or sell it on. This is normal practice for them! Stops the big boys taking over!! Lets hope they sell it on for housing not retail. Name Supplied

Big Faringdon Gig Sat 5th July - 14/4/08 An opportunity to win free tickets to this years BFG Answer the simple music quiz on our website for two chance to win one of two pairs of tickets. Closing date 29th April Tickets will be on sale on 1st May - £10 for all day 15 bands playing original songs - no covers what-so-ever. www.bigfaringdongig.com Sean Hodgeson

Arts Festival - 14/4/08 Hi Mel and everyone keen to find out about this year's Faringdon Arts Festival. We are currently finalising the complete line-up and will publicise this in the next few weeks. What I can confirm though is that, due to public demand, we are extending the Market Place stage activitities to 11pm on Saturday as well as the Friday! More to follow! David Reynolds (Chairman, Faringdon Arts Festival)

Tesco Rumour - 14/4/08 I would imagine it would be a distribution site and not a supermarket !! Name Supplied

Dog poo and daffodils - 13/4/08 Last Thursday VWHDC cleared the high path along Stanford Road of weeds - and very good it looks too. I walked there on Sunday only to see that 2 dog owners had allowed their dogs to 'dump' on it. I hope they feel embarrassed and ashamed- but I guess not else they wouldn't have allowed it to happen Please, please dog owners - clear up after your dog - friends of the Folly are trying to encourage more visitors to the tower - it does not give a good impression of Faringdon to see this sort of thing. They have also started cleaning the path to the Folly - I do hope dog owners respect this and make sure their dogs don't foul it Friends of the Folly planted daffodils around the tower. Sunday, the daffodils on one patch had been almost destroyed - daffodil stems scattered everywhere. I despair Gene Webb

Arts Festival - 13/4/08 Is there a website for The Arts Festival yet? I've got some family coming down for the weekend and would like to give them an idea of this year's line up. Thanks Mel Ed(GW): The URL was www.faringdonartsfestival.org- but it doesn't appear to be live at the moment

Tesco Rumour - 11/4/08 On JDS site Does anyone know anything? Name Supplied

Smokers/Budgens - 11/4/08 I see some pubs are placing buckets of sand outside their premises for discarded cigarette ends. Any chance the smokers outside Budgens could request one ?. There is a bin which they don't use (presumably because of the fire hazard) but throwing them on the floor isn't the answer. The amount on the pavenment - and chewing gum (which isn't a fire hazard and could go in the bin !) - is quite disgusting. Name Supplied

Madd May Fest Tickets - 10/4/08 All tickets for the M.A.D.D. MayFest on sale @Faringdon T.i.C. through our website www.maddfaringdon.co.uk our www.wegottickets.com Sam Prince

Holes Filled in at Leisure Centre - 9/4/08 Just to let you all know 47 indents/holes were filled in last evening by a dedicated Duty manager. With more sessions of Roller Hockey booked in maybe we should start a betting game on how many next time. Who wants to start!!!!. Anyway THANKYOU we were able to skate at 7am this morning without cones on the floor. I think people of Faringdon need to realise we already have 3 Britsh champions and at the end of April we could have 5 and 2/3 runner ups. These children of Faringdon along with parents and those who have sponsored us are committed to these children who love their sport. If you would like to see these children in action come to Saturday sessions 7.30 to 12 am you will be very surprised. Dee England

Pictures of the Folly - 9/4/08 A very poor turnout was expected but the total takings for the weekend were £167.69, (including the £23.69 from Saturday). There was a total of 179 visitors on Sunday which is outstanding, considering the weather. Eddie Williams I believe the reason for the good turnout was due to the snow. Have a look at these (I took them on Sunday morning while walking the dog): http://www.flickr.com/photos/raoul42/2399157026 http://www.flickr.com/photos/raoul42/2399147356 http://www.flickr.com/photos/raoul42/2399144186 http://www.flickr.com/photos/raoul42/2399140882 http://www.flickr.com/photos/raoul42/2398329435 Raoul van Eyndhoven See www.faringdonfolly.org.uk for more pictures, information and events

Well said Jim. - 9/4/08 The local skating team and Dee really do deserve an accolade for their efforts. Hard work, dedication and attention to detail over the years have led to genuine achievement, measured internationally, not just within the boundaries of li'l ol' Faringdon, and we should recognise it. They should not have to suffer because of the all-too-usual, sloppy, 'jobsworth' attitude. Name Supplied

Leisure Centre - 9/4/08 It isn't often that I feel moved to grumble any more like I would have when I was young, I tend to want to yell just a minute that really is not on! It seems strange to me that the people running the sports hall in a place like Faringdon can discriminate between sports activities and allow these hockey players to muck up the floor of a training place for international roller skaters. Where on earth is their sense of priority? These skaters are actually regularly winning international medals for Britain. Why has everybody been making such a fuss about the teenage diving sensation winning medals when I was lucky enough to go as a spectator to Leicester for an international skating match and watched several of them win medals against other countries ,among them the youngest girl winning three gold medals among other cups and plates. The prize giving was amazing as this little seven year old went up again and again! What a fuss has been made about Beth Tweddle,22, winning a silver in gymnastics this week. I know This is minority sport but this must be the only country in the world who would treat international medal winners this way. So arrogant as to believe that amateur hockey players have a right to damage the very floor that international roller skaters are obliged to train on for an international contest just a few days away. Football players wouldn't be treated this way so why should skaters. It isn't as if they don't pay dearly for it either. As I understand it they are major contributors of money to the leisure centre. So please stop being so dog in the manger whoever you are these people deserve to train somewhere suitable for their purpose not have to endure accidents that would not happen on a smooth floor...... let things wash over me but just sometimes something happens which strikes me as being so unfair Meriel and John Gillman

THE Knight in Shining Armour has taken up the challenge - 8/4/08 I have been in contact with david about his challenge of organising something for the younger generation at the FAF this year. Once School has resumed I shall be in contact with the three Local schools doing a Survey of what the local Yoof would like to do or see at this years FAF. I am not taking this challenge Lightly. but then again i know i won't please all the people all of the time. But their will be something for the local Yoof and i hope either Free or a very minimal Charge. I Feel like Anneka Rice Now. Although i do assure you all that i do not look that good in a Jump Suit. Scott Gildert

Faringdon Centre - 8/4/08 No the Centre is not just for skating.The biggest income on the hall side comes from skating almost £3000 every 13 weeks this includes block booking and any extra we do on a weekly basis. To use the hall for 4 hours just on a saturday cost £1500 every 13 weeks.I think we have a right to have the floor clean and in repair. I would like to say majority of the time we have to ask to have it swept.We pay for the whole hall therefore we should be able to use it. On monday we paid for just one court. Court 1 we had to put cones around to cover most of area and use other part of hall. For those of you who live in the passed and think Roller Hockey equipment is plastic it is not they use wooden sticks and they Sharpen them before use.Boots are worn outside therefore grit and dirt on wheels damaging floor. The FCC do not cause any damage to the main Hall they respect the facility as we all do. If we look after the facility it will be there for generations to come. If management want to use the facility for Roller Hockey they should ensure the RIGHT protection for the floor not a just a covering to make it look nice. Dee England Ed(GW) What do Soll Leisure Management say?

Sponsored 2008 Bluebell Walk (short) for the charity Canine Partners - 8/4/08 Sunday 20th April at Badbury Woods. Canine Partners are a fantastic charity that receives no government funding. They train dogs to assist physically disabled people and this completely transforms people’s lives. For further information on the walk please contact Sarah-Jane on 07753 856446 or email sarah-janemartin@fsmail.net. Would you be able to adopt or foster a Labrador? Labrador Retriever Rescue Southern England are a registered charity that re-homes purebred and Labrador Retrievers crosses. More Information If you can help please contact Sarah -Jane on 07753 856446 or email sarah-janemartin@fsmail.net

Displeasure Centre - 8/4/08 Now , I maybe thick, or I may have missed something, but why, if the hockey club had been banned from the centre because of the damage they caused, why were they back on Saturday? and, if they have caused so much damage, why have they not been presented with a bill for repair? Sometimes I feel out of my depth with the arguments on here, on this topic I feel I am in the shallow end, so that makes me feel safe..... Jim Horton

Leisure centre - not just for skating - 8/4/08 As a person who uses the leisure centre on a regular basis, I'm always pleased to see so many people using this hard fought for facility. There are a lot of different groups using the large hall including the community college. This hall floor will get damaged but thats the price we have to pay for it being so popular. The hall is not just for the roller skating. Name Supplied

John Otway at the Folly - 8/4/08 Just to endorse David Reynolds' comments about the John Otway gig at the top of the Folly Tower - which we only found out about through an email from some friends in Lincolnshire who are fans. John Otway was completely brilliant and incredibly funny (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AK7m4hlLPv4&NR=1) - Yes, let's encourage him to come here and do a larger gig! The Townsend Five Ed(GW) It was a private booking for the Folly Tower. Only very near the time was it agreed that we could publicise it - which we did on this site and www.faringdonfolly.org.uk

Scott our Knight in Shining Armour - but we still need more! - 8/4/08 At Faringdon Arts Festival Towers we are currently putting together the programme for this year's event (11-13 July). We've also recognised that it would be nice to have more on for the youngsters and have been looking for a volunteer to take up the challenge. Hooray! Along comes our knight in shining armour in the form of Scott Gildert! Scott could you along with anyone else interested in volunteering (a few hours or a few days) for this year's event please call me on 0771 421 8825. Many thanks David Reynolds

Faringdon Leisure Centre - 8/4/08 During the Christmas period thousands of pounds were spent on resealing the Main Hall floor.Much of the damage to the floor was done by 2 sessions of Roller Hockey using wooden sticks prior to resealing. Management made a decision not to book these players in again!!!!! Saturday these players were in again NEW HOLES SCRATCHES and top surface almost gone.. The bottom line of income might be up by couple of hundred pounds last week but the damage they have caused and the inconvienience caused management need to take more care when taking bookings of this nature. Unless these holes are filled in Faringdon Skaters will be forced to train elsewhere until repairs are done. With only 2 weeks before Cadet and Youth Championships this is tragic for us. Sunday and Monday I spent much time trying to get someone to make a decision to get holes filled in but it seems none could do this. Such a simple task. Please can I ask anyone who reads this to put pressure on Management to get this simple task done. Thankyou Dee England

OXFORDSHIRE ARTWEEKS 2008: Great Art Show in Great Coxwell - 7/4/08 Visitors to Great Coxwell during the first two weekends in May will be treated to a feast of art and craft as 15 local artists display their work at various venues throughout the village. As part of 'Oxfordshire Artweeks', studios, homes and the 'Dairy Gallery' will exhibit a wide variety of work including paintings, photography, fabric bags, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery, book-binding and delicate wire work.. Children's work created especially for the occasion can be viewed in the Reading Room where delicious teas, coffees and lunches will also be served. All proceeds will go to Great Coxwell Park. The beautiful 12th century church will be open to visitors as will the Great Barn so admired by William Morris. Opening times are May 3rd to 5th, including Bank Holiday, and May 10th and 11th, from 11.00am to 5.30pm. Artweeks programmes will be available from Faringdon Tourist Office and venues in the village. Further information from John Rounce, 01367-241934. Events: GREAT COXWELL ARTWEEKS 2008 15 artists and craftspeople invite you to view their work at 6 different venues in the village as part of Oxfordshire Artweeks. Work includes paintings, photography, fabric bags, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery, book-binding and delicate wire work. Children will also be exhibiting. Delicious coffees, lunches and teas in the Reading Room. Proceeds to Great Coxwell Park. 12th century church also open to visitors. 3rd - 5th May inclusive and 10th - 11th May from 11.00 to 5.30 Further information from John Rounce 01367-241934 or Karen Vogt karen@vogt.org.uk

Faringdon Dramatic Society presents - 7/4/08 Performances in both Faringdon and Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada… 'Outside Edge' by Richard Harris a very English comedy, about class, cricket and tea. Thursday to Saturday 15th, 16th, 17th May 2008 at Faringdon Junior School Curtain up at 7.30pm Tickets £7.00 and £5.00 concessions available from The Nut Tree (enquiries 01367 242490)

Faringdon What a Fantastic Town. - 7/4/08 The Town Of Faringdon is a fantastic place to live. I myself are not Faringdon Born and Bred,but my Wife and my Children are. and i have lived here for the past 11 years we now have Three Fantastic Schools that educate our Children Well. I Personally don't think we have a supermarket issue as all the big players of the supermarket world are within a reasonable travelling distance and should stay where they are you can get your Hair cut. you can buy almost anything (Hardware wise) from Our diy shop. you can now even buy Shoes in the town. you can buy Gifts. and we even have a bargain shop you can now buy your (sorry i forgot our Anniversary) Flowers. or for your dear old mum. you can buy your early morning newspaper on the way to work. we have lots of Establishments around town where you can eat (whether it be fast food or Food Excellently cooked by an expert chef) We started to have LOTS of Live music in the Town (Courtesy of Mr Martin Phillips whom i think should be applauded and given a citizenship award for trying to change the Nightlife in the town although We Still have Sam Prince Plodding on with his Music Events) All Much to the Disapointment of a very small Minority who don't like music. And i Seem to remember a Poster even saying that the Junior School needn't think that they are safe. Lots of Nice Places for the Younger People to play But Sadly as i saw and agree with a previous poster who is in their teens (or so i presume) there is nothing for them to do. and with me having a son just about to enter his teens in the next few years. what is he going to be able to do of an evening. Maybe the Skate Park Idea Needs a Bit of a Kick. although the National Trust Let People Go Dirt Boarding at Badbury Clump. But that is no Fun in the Dark as Trees Don't have lights on them. and they Hurt. There is one thing i would like to see at the FAF this Year and that is A Lot more for the Kids to do as there was not so much of it last year. Peace Everyone Make Love Not War Scott Gildert

4 things you probably never knew (probably) your mobile phone can do - 6/4/08 I was sent this by email - thought it to be useful There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it: FIRST Emergency The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. SECOND Have you locked your keys in the car? Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys (with unlock button)are at home, call someone at home on their mobile phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk). THIRD Hidden Battery Power Imagine your mobile battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370# Your mobile will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your mobile next time. FOURTH How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phon! e: * # 0 6 # A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. Gene Webb

John Otway in the Folly Tower - 6/4/08 Today, thanks to Friends of the Folly, I witnessed one of the most entertaining and unusual gigs I have ever seen... John Otway playing in the top room of the Folly Tower. Treating 40 people to a mixture of his own songs (Really Free, Beware of the Flowers Because I'm Sure They're Gonna Get You, Bunsen Burner) and covers (I will Survive, House of The Rising Sun) John showed himself to be a truly magnificent songwriter, musician and singer as well as being hilariously funny. (Check out House of the Rising Sun on youtube!). I spoke to John afterwards about coming to Faringdon for an Arts Festival gig and hope to tie up a date in the near future. I'm sure we'll need a bigger venue. Can you please register your interest in this gig as soon as possible by email to info@peluche.co.uk. Many thanks. David Reynolds

The Big Boogie Bash Friday 25th April - 5/4/08 Faringdon Junior School 7.30pm - 11pm. Come and eat, drink and get on up to the sounds of local sensations Jon Lane & Boogie Me. In aid of The London-Paris fundraising bike ride for The Big Issue Foundation Licensed bar. Tickets £15 single, £25 double. Contact 01367 243720 for details or check out www.myspace.com/jonlaneandboogieme

A Doctor Comments - 5/4/08 Lately it seems that a cloud of 'sanctimony' has been hanging over Faringdon. 'Sanctimony' is not in itself harmful, but can give rise to worrying indications when it occurs in concentration. Concentrations of sanctimony are produced when vulnerable individuals come into contact with mild criticism, or a point of view which is inconsistent with their own. It can cause a variety of symptoms. Virtue is often ritualistically extolled. There is nothing wrong with 'extollation' of virtue - it is good for us all from time to time, but may affect sensitive individuals, who 'show out' and 'self extoll'. This can be embarrassing but is simply due to a perceived excess of virtue, (it's all in the mind!) and will soon subside. Another common symptom is a 'rash of back-patting'. Again, this should not be discouraged, as back-patting activity has been shown to be very beneficial, and mutual back-patting can be extremely pleasurable, though best not carried out in public, as it may cause offence. The well known 'Odour of Sanctity' is given off by sanctimony, and passive inhalation can cause irritation and nausea, but again, this is transient, and sufferers should try not to react, or they may find themselves victims of the 'Canute effect' where they make futile attempts to set themselves against the 'tide' of sanctimony and are overwhelmed. My advice to Canute effect sufferers is to keep your heads down and try to find a nice hobby, that does not involve reading inflammatory material. All in all, 'sanctimony' is only noticeable in concentration, and will soon pass. So there we have it. Nothing at all to worry about. A. Doctor.

Volunteers, Ecofriendliness and Nastyness...- 4/4/08 I agree with Gene that there are loads of volunteers in Faringdon and vey many of them doing a very good job without fanfare and publicity. And that is exactly my point (which was edited out, incidentally) that there ought to be more publicity for more of the volunteers not the same old one or three e.g. Eco Friendly, Fair Trade, Peace Group all the time. On the Ecofriendly front, as I said, most people these days are trying to do their bit and are aware that they need to try to do more. What they don't need is to have the message constantly rammed down their throats in the somewhat smug and patronising tones that a lot of Eco experts seem to adopt. One recent posting on this site suggested for instance that people should not fly to New York because of the large amount of CO2 the plane would emit. Two questions are raised by this:- How else are they supposed to get there ...swim perhaps ? Secondly, if the poster is suggesting that people should not go to places like New York as a holiday destination for the same reason, is this not a very gross infringement of civil liberties, to say nothing of smacking completely of nannystatefulness ( if there is such a word), to say nothing of being completely patronising too? Name Supplied

Faringdonians need sunshine - 4/4/08 I am another regular reader of Talking Points who has been out of touch for a couple of weeks and am amazed to read the negativity that has appeared - clearly Faringdonians are in need of some sunshine!!! I think Sjoerd should be applauded for doing his bit for the environment and for encouraging others to do the same. We have a beautiful planet and it distresses me when I see people totally admonishing responsibility for looking after it. Whilst it is true that none of our actions individually are going to make a big difference we have to look at the big picture and make an effort to do what we can realistically. I'm not talking giving up air travel, getting on your bike or living in a tree house but there are things we can do without much hassle! I dread to think what issues my children and their children in the future are going to be faced with - things are critical enough now. Banning carrier bags may not be convenient and will not save the planet, nor will simply replacing our light bulbs with energy efficient ones, but if every person took some small steps to become a little 'greener' we could make a big difference together! Burying our heads in the sand or slating those who do make more effort is not going to get us anywhere. I guess I'd better put my name to this and face public condemnation...so be it. Sticks and stones and all that!.... Anna Marlow

Faringdon has many volunteers - 4/4/08 Well said Gene. Sjoerd Vogt was on Radio Oxford this morning again extolling the virtues of Faringdon (talking about the world record attempt on Midsummer's Day), and it made me proud to be part of this community Name Supplied

Wrong Thinking Simon. - 4/4/08 During the past four years I have been an ardent reader and contributor to this website. I have usually, though not always, used my own name. I have been the target of much criticism though I would never have described these comments as "nastiness". I heartily support the Name Supplied or Pseudonym system as it allows posters to air their views without being influenced by the possibility of hostile personal comments. The Editors hardly ever, as far as I know, censor our articles and they seem to subscribe to the view expressed by Harry S Truman when he said "If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen" Harry G Mitchell aka HGM

Faringdon is a great place - 3/4/08 Crikey, I've been a bit lax of late in reading the 'Talking points' and I find myself being very bemused and befuddled by the amount of people who seem to be very negative about EVERYTHING. Firstly, we are all very lucky, as people who live in a developed nation, anyway. Secondly, we are lucky to be living in Faringdon, which I think is a great place (and I'm not from here originally). It wasn't until I got to Gene Webb's recent addition that there was a whole hearted 'Hear hear' from me. So my credentials, I have a compost heap, I recycle, I used washable nappies for my first 2 children, (by the third I reckoned I was spending more on washing them than was beneficial,) I use resusable carrier bags for shopping and lament the loss of the supermarket bags for bin liners, for my small bins. I buy biodegradable bin bags for the rest of my rubbish. I was a founder member of the Faringdon Arts Festival, which was set up by a group people who thought that Faringdon had so much to offer, it would be great to put it under one umbrella and show off/celebrate what goes on in Faringdon. I think that those who have kept it going are FAB as it is enormously time consuming. I think that the HUSH festival organizers do need our support, as the idea of a festival HERE- IN FARINGDON, was very exciting. They can keep my money until next year. It would be great to have one place where we can all go for concerts, theatre etc and we should all look at how we can proceed in getting such a place. I think we should support the local sports clubs in trying to get their new sites up and running and get the skate park going for the 'YOOF'. If I win an obscene amount of money on the lottery then I will be in a postions to help financially, but until then rather than moan, let's give support to those people who give their time - for us. 'Hear, hear' Gene Webb. Let's be appreciative. Name Supplied ps i will be a name withheld as I may win an obscene amount of money!! :-)

Big Faringdon Gig, Sat 5th July - 3/4/08 We have found our replacement band and are very pleased to announce that local band DISCLOSURE will be on this years bill. For more news about the BFG please see the website www.bigfaringdongig.com We are still keen to hear from a few more volunteers to help out in the two bars and on the doors. Tickets £10 available in MAY Sean Hodgson

Faringdon has many volunteers - 3/4/08 Some volunteers are very visible - eg Town, VWHDC and County Councillors, but there are many many more that work hard for the benefit of people who live in and around Faringdon. There are the sport clubs - football, rugby, tennis, cricket, skaters, bowls, judo, as well as brownies, guides, cubs, scouts. The churches provide leisure activities and support to those who need it. There's the Arts Festival, Mad May Fest and the other music events that happen frequently. Money raising events - jumble sales, fetes, gardens open, bingo, race nights, barn dances, evenings of music Friends groups and trusts run Tuckers Park, the Folly, the Folly Park, the Old Town Hall, the Peace group, Twinning There's the Faringdon singers, the Folly singers, Sing Faringdon, U3A, Health walks, Drama Group, Art Society - and many more We're a Fairtrade town, there's an active Community Action group, the forthcoming Ecoweek is packed with events that people can join in with All of these (and more) are organised and run by local people on a voluntary basis. We have a good community- let's be appreciative Gene Webb

No name supplied? - 3/4/08 i think we should do away with name supplied and akas names etc and then lets see how brave some posters are if they cant hide behind name suppiled. i am very dishearted by some of the comments made to the vogt famliy. if comments are made it should be towards there thinking not them or there famliy. simon cook

The "C" Word - 3/4/08 It's a sad day when responsible people who are socially and ecologically sound get slated for putting their views across. For my part, it doesn't matter whether there is global warming or not, its more an issue of preserving the planets limited resources for as long as possible. There are still millions of socially inept people who get into their car to go to the shops which are within easy walking distance, and yes I am guilty of this sometimes. However, people like Sjoerd Vogt remind me I'm completely stupid for doing so. Sjoerd, please keep posting sir, keep reminding me and others that it is in fact good to be socially and environmentally responsible. Ignore the rants of those selfish few, who have taken the stand that its not their problem and will continue their parasitic ways without regard to any consequences. Devil's Advocate

Nastiness - 3/4/08 I've decided not to read this anymore. There is a lot of nastiness towards each other which is unnecessary. Name Supplied

Jumble Sale last Saturday - 2/4/08 Raised £576 for Riding for the Disabled and Parkinsons disease Next sale 29th November 2008

Windfarm Hugging......- 2/4/08 Having just read Sjoerd Voigt's recent posting on this subject - part of his ramblings re EcoWeek When will Sjoerd and his ilk get the message that people are fully aware through the national media of the need to conserve energy, re-use, recycle etc and that most people now do their bit. So please stop lecturing us - it's incredibly boring. Oh, by the way, I see he advocates washing rubbish bins regularly to get rid of smells and mess, rather than using plastic bags. But I thought we were meant to be conserving water too - so how does that equate ? Name Supplied

Drawing Competition for children - 2/4/08 Faringdon Tourist Information Centre are holding a St. George's Day Competition. Draw the story of St. George and the Dragon, either as a storyboard or as one big picture and you could win a prize. Prizes include a family ticket to the New Farmer Gow's Activity Farm, Longcot. Post it, or take it in to Faringdon Tourist Information Centre, The Pump House, 5 Market Place, Faringdon. SN7 7HL Rules: Competition is open to children up to, and including, Year 6 age. Entries must be on one piece of A4 paper. Name, address, school name and class year must be written clearly on the back of your entry. Entries must be received no later than the closing date of 1pm, SATURDAY 26th APRIL, 2008. Also - get a free gift with every purchase on St. George's Day!

CO2 and Exercise - 2/4/08 John - sounds like a good idea. Couch potatoes of the world unite! But being sedentary won't decrease you overall respiration by that much I'm afraid. Most of the daily energy we expend just goes on keeping us ticking over at the right temperature - and depends more on body weight than on exercise levels. See for example http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/weight/calsburned.htm for a fuller explanation. So - the key to saving the environment is that we all lose the extra pounds. Coming on ECOBIKES on the 21st June would be a good start! But don't worry, your weight won't plummet dangerously. Daphne's doing ECOBUTTIES at Step Farm at the halfway point: Organic baps with organic crispy bacon - served with a mug of frothy fairtrade coffee - using organic milk of course! Sjoerd Vogt

Fed up of hearing about the "C" word. - 1/4/08 Great to see Mr John Gilman questioning the "ecobike" event in june regarding the dreaded "C" word, that's Carbon. Mr Vogt you have been well and truly brainwashed into thinking that we can all make a difference to climate change. Sorry to disappoint you but the tide is starting to turn and more and people are beginning to realise that global warming is a natural phenonmenon due to extra sunspot activity on the sun. Do a bit of research and google the "maunder minimum" and you will find that the climate on this planet is very closely correlated to activity on the largest object in our solar system, the Sun. The Sun unbelievably contains more than 99.8% of the total mass of the entire Solar System, therefore its influence and fluctuations are felt massively here on this little planet we call earth. Man-made Global warming and climate change is a clever scam and used to make us feel guilty and for extra taxes to be imposed on us. Think about it for a second, If what we were doing on a daily basis was really affecting the planet in such a detrimental way, would the governments not simply have an outright ban on anti-green activities??? No instead they want even more of your hard earned money, and all it does is line the pockets of the government. Mr Vogt, I put it to you that your time and energy would be better served in raising awareness and money for the other "C" word that actually does devastate people's lives on a daily basis - not Carbon but Cancer Citizen Smith

Faringdon Artistic Skaters - 1/4/08 British Championships held in Leicester Tots (under8) British Champion - Ursula Campbell Mini Boy (under 10) British Champion - William Timbrell Mini Girls 7th - Sophie Howard Espior Boys (under12) British Champion - Nathaniel Williams Espior Boys Runner up - Oliver Timbrell Faringdon has great talent in skating Congratulations to all Nathaniel Oliver and William have all been selected to represent GB in the Cup on Europe 8th October Forth coming Event Cadet and Youth Championships 8 skaters will be taking part. Tamara Williams, Hollie Fidler, Georgie Howe, Ben Timbrell, James Campbell, Richard Whilock GOOD LUCK TO THEM ALL Dee England

Sound proofing - Corn exchange - 1/4/08 I'm going to break a rule of a lifetime and for once actually agree with what David Reynolds says. However, in my usual kack handed way, that was exactly the point I was making. The work should only be done if it can guarantee success or someone is liable for the failure if it is not. If there is no liability then money should not be wasted. On a frivolous note, if consultants are not liable nor responsible for advice and the recommendations that they make, then I am available to give advice on any issue and will be more than happy to waste Town Councils funds providing advice and offering solutions which may or may not work. The bonus is that I will only charge half that of the most competitive quote. Devils Advocate

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