faringdon-online community web site home	talking points
	january - april 2004

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New Aerobic Class- Tuesdays at the Junior School- 28/4/04 Now the sun's come out - get ready to put on those bikinis! Come along & enjoy a fun aerobic (fat-burning) workout designed for all levels of fitness Please wear loose, comfortable clothing & trainers, & please bring a mat/towel. If you'd like an informal chat with the instructor, please call Mairi Clare on 01367 242149 When: Every Tuesday No need to book, just turn up Time: 7.15pm Cost: £3.50 per session Where: Faringdon Junior School Sports Hall (park in the playground) (Bring your daughter / friend before 13th July and claim your first class free)

Market Square Improvements - 28/4/04 I agree with Harry Mitchell,(!) we now have a skate board park right in the middle of town, ( at about four hundred thousand, what a bargain!) It will of course put anyone else off from using the town centre after six o'clock in the evening, and of course Sunday afternoons, but what does that matter. I also agree that cars wont be a problem, not because they will be slow moving, its just that there wont be any there,no one local( except the skateboarders ) will use the centre. Everyone seems to hate what has been done. Would it not have been a good idea to use some of the development land in Swan lane as a car park for that end of the town, to make up for the parking lost in the market square? and of course for the long suffering residents already there,. As for the give way signs, what a farce, how can you give way to something you cant see coming. I'm looking forward to some interesting discussions by drivers stuck in the road opposite Deacons, and also opposite Pat Thomas. There is definitely a village around here missing its idiot. We've had him here " improving" the market place. Am I the only one that thinks Faringdon looked quite nice as it was ( apart from those grotesque concrete planters of course) Just a small, simple, pretty market town, with no aspirations to be French or any thing else. At least you could pick up your takeaway, and drop your DVD s back without getting knocked over by a skate boarder. Get the old photos out Jim Brown, lets all get misty eyed over what used to be........... ....................Jim Horton

Street Cleansing - 24/4/04 On 11th May I am meeting with the woman from VWHDC who is responsible for managing the street cleaning contractor. We will walk round streets in Faringdon and I'll show her how dirty they are. I know of some places- but would really appreciate it if you told me of areas that you notice- either lots of bigish litter around, or simply in need of sweeping. A quick email would be great Gene Webb genewebb@nildram.co.uk

Town Matters. - 20/4/04 The work on the old Health Centre building seems to be complete... Has it been forgotten ? It was developed to provide 10 supposedly much needed affordable dwellings so why isn't it being occupied ? I'd like to think that there is a reasonable answer to my question it's just that I don't know what it is.. The failure to provide the long talked about Skate Park is not the tragedy it may have seemed as the area in the centre of the Market Square will provide a suitable alternative. The gentle slopes and smooth surfaces will prove to be very tempting for the Skate Boarders. Cars will not be a hazard because the one thing Faringdon is not going to get is fast moving traffic in the centre. It's nice to think that that the area will be appreciated by some, if not all, members of the community. Finally the possibility of traffic lights in the Market Square. Did anyone seriously think that red and white arrows would be any use in controlling the traffic in the town centre ? The planners may have had faith but I've yet to meet a driver who shares their optimism. Harry G Mitchell

Town Meeting - 15/4/04 Town Meeting - 15/4/04 This meeting was quite well attended - about 12 residents, plus councillors Pump House Work to refurbish the two lower floors of the original building is out to tender. These are due back in May/June. There is about £250k unearmarked money in the coffers. (£150k of this is the Public works loan taken out for the Pump House repairs) This with £40 k budgetted in 04/05 is thought to be sufficient to do the above work No work has been planned for the old theatre and the building(once a bar/billiard room?) that links to the original house. The theatre will be mothballed for 5 years, by when, if grant monies are available, it will be refurbished. Concerns were expressed about the noise that a theatre may generate in what will by then be a wholly residential area(Swan Lane) Skate Park There is now no money in the budget for this- what was budgetted is now part of the unearmarked money mentioned above. There may be a possibility of having a skate park near the site of the new cricket ground(when the current cricket filed and former nursery site are developed) The aim is for the devloper to provide this as a planning gain for the town. Corn Exchange It seems that Faringdon Town Council have had use of the Corn Exchange and offices for £0 rent per annum. VWHDC pay for the maintenance of the building and FTC, as the 'tenant' have responsibility for rates,heating, cleaning, Hall management. It seems that VWHDC now want to charge FTC £17k per annum rent. This has been under discussion for some time, but has resulted in VWHDC issuing a notice to quit to FTC. FTC have decided not to appeal. There is currently no lease agreement between FTC and VWHDC FTC appear to be planning to use rooms in the Pump House as their offices VWHDC Cnclr Alison Thompson was asked to investigate what is to happen to the Corn Exchange. It is a very well used facility now, and would be a real set back for the town if VWHDC fail to continue to manage it if/when the notice on FTC expires (Sept 2004) A Historical note!! It seems that the Corn Exchange once belonged to Faringdon (in the days of Faringdon RDC 1970s). Faringdon RDC sold it to VWHDC for £36k. The then FT council gave the £36k back to VWHDC to pay for repairs that needed doing. I guess this was to avoid the cost and responsibility of ongoing repairs. Weeds in streets Judith Heathcoat was asked to make sure that removal of weeds from Faringdon streets is in the schedule for this Spring. Market Square parking Judith Heathcote stated that the Traffic Orders required to enforce short term parking in the Market Square will be in place by the time the improvement works are complete. CornMarket vehicle Priority system(white and red arrows) It doesn't appear to be certain that this will work- negative views were expressed. It seems however, that cabling for traffic lights has /will be laid for use if required. CCTV VWHDC have carried out a survey for CCTV in the town - possible camera locations were not given. A report will be produced, with costs. A figure of £5.5k per annum per camera was mentioned Museum for Faringdon Apparently the museum group still exists and is still looking for premises. I've asked for contact info etc to put on www.faringdon.org Swan Lane development The former Swindon woodworking site is being cleared for development. Swan Lane residents expressed concerns about Health and Safety issues from the large demolition vehicles up and down this narrow road, and the lack of care by the subcontractor when removing large quantities of asbestos. Longer term concerns are about the increase of traffic through this narrow road. London St and Church St are impacted too. This is compounded by inadequate car parking for residents of the new development. Faringdon Association of Residents Colin Desborough reported that through FAR efforts, the Drew legacy (left to Faringdon in the 1980s and about to be swallowed up into National Health Coffers) will be spent on Health facilities for Faringdon people. This includes:- Power supply at the Health centre for mobile breast screening unit Equipment for the Faringdon First Responder Team Equipment and supplies for District Nurseries Funds for health/first aid training in schools

Writers wanted- 12/4/04 Are you a local writer, published or unpublished? Would you like to appear at the Faringdon Arts Festival? If so, please contact Paul Cornell at paulcornell@owlservice.freeserve.co.uk or Tel: 01367 243912

Yurt construction- 13/4/04 Whilst surfing the net I came across your web page and the link to Fernham as I am looking for a yurt maker- one is mentioned on the Fernham page. Please could you send me a contact if you know it? I am setting up an environmental show home in Bourton on the Water and am thinking of a yurt for the organic garden. I would very much like to use someone local if possible so your contact would be much appreciated. My phone number is 01451 820274. Best wishes Diana Ray (PS it looks an excellent site)

Coin found in Faringdon- 13/4/04 The Market Place in Faringdon is currently being resurfaced. Last Thursday the digger driver picked up a coin lying among the rubble just outside the entrance to the Crown Hotel. The coin is silver, very thin, and appears to be from Warwick Castle from about 1643. I assume, being no expert, that it was a siege coin (Groat?) but not legal tender, as it was legally a token. I can only speculate that someone in about 1645/1646 tried to use it as a Groat in Faringdon and ended up throwing it away as valueless. Does anyone know if troops from Warwick Castle’s battles ended up in Faringdon? Did Pickering’s Regiment come to Faringdon via Warwick? John Gillman

Planning guidance- can it be true?? - 1/4/04 I have been told by a senior VWHDC planner that for residents car parking associated with new developments different rules/guidance is used. For Rural areas, more spaces per dwelling are required because of the need for cars to get to work/shops etc For Urban areas fewer spaces are required so as to encourage people to have fewer cars and use public transport Makes sense and good for the environment!! Apparently the national average, ie rural and urban together is 1.5 ish spaces per dwelling Here is the huge BUT!! Faringdon is deemed to be an Urban area by planners!! -even though our public transport is seriously limited. So it seems, it is a deliberate policy to have too few parking spaces per dwelling so as to encourage people not to have more cars than they can park and use public transport!! Can it be true?? Who decided this? On what basis? Does anyone know more? Gene Webb

Dog attacked - 30/3/04 Last Friday lunchtime our dog Murphy, a Weimaraner, was attacked by an Alsation/German Shepherd looking dog, very dark brown almost black colouring. In the heat of the (very emotional) moment, getting the owners name and address wasn't a possibility. I must point out that Murphy is a very boisturous dog herself, and has at times been quite bitchy to other bitches the same sort of size when out at the Folly. It is for this reason that we keep her muzzled and have done since she was 2 years old and we realised we couldn't always control her territorial instincts as she like to run free up there. She has never hurt anyone or anything. I have a vets bill of £400 I would really like to contact the owner of the alsation I have registered this complaint at Wantage Police Dom Matterson. dom.matterson@btinternet.com

Local pride - 28/3/04 In Prague recently, I watched a man pick up a tissue that a young woman in front of him had dropped. He walked, carrying the tissue for 2 or 3 minutes. As he came in sight of the bin, he overtook the young woman, threw the tissue in the bin and pointedly looked at her. A non confrontational way of making the point. I should add that this dropped tissue was very noticeable as there was no other litter on this or any other street in the city. How do they do it? Why can't we in the UK? Gene Webb

Prepare your voices for Easter. Let the People Sing! -22/3/04 Open your hearts and voices and come and join us to sing Mascagni’s glorious Easter Hymn. We plan to sing at 8 am in Faringdon Baptist Church after the Dawn service and breakfast. It is a fabulous way to start Easter Day (April 11th). Everyone is welcome – you do not need to be able to read music, just to enjoy singing and be prepared to practice. Bring your friends, families and neighbours. ‘Note-bashing’ practices at Faringdon Baptist Church on Sundays 21st, 28th March and 3rd April from 4-5pm. Final Rehearsal on Saturday 10th April 10-11am. For further details and general encouragement please contact Lyn Williamson 01367 240033

More houses in Faringdon - 22/3/04 Changes to the draft local plan (to 2011) proposed for Faringdon have been agreed. (yet to go to full VWHDC Council) This will allow the increase in employment land of over 10 acres plus an increase in house numbers from 133 to 515. 340 will be on the cricket ground and former nursery site, and an increase from 24 to 66 in Swan Lane. Most of the expansion will be outside the existing Development Boundary Faringdon Town Council met 22/3 to formulate their view on the planning gain that may be achieved. Negotiations have not yet started- there will be a mix of monetary contributions and provision of facilities On the list are:- Contribution to Schools - nursery, primary and secondary Replacement Cricket Ground and pavilion, to include a skate park Contribution to community rooms Community Art Improvements to Folly Park( likely to increase size by about 25 acres, including Cricket Grround) Cycle ways and pedestrian routes on the development to link with Town Centre Off street parking Affordable housing requirement to be equity share, market rental, or low priced housing rather than 'council' housing for rent Opening of Stanford road onto A420 Link road between Park Road and Stanford Road Gene Webb

Ferndale Prep School - Fantastic Results - 18/3/04 F Ferndale Prep School in Faringdon has just received another outstanding set of examination results to Senior Schools at 11. Ferndale, a non-selective independent school for boys and girls ages 3-11, has always had unusual success in getting children into a range of schools - including some of the most academically demanding. After last year's record number of successes the results this year were expected to be less favourable - but that has not been the case. Most of their boys are taking up places at Magdalen College, Oxford or Abingdon School; the girls are predominantly going to The School of St Helen and St Katharine or Our Lady's Convent in Abingdon. Results included 6 Scholarships/Exhibitions. The others have all been successful in gaining places to a wide range of senior schools including Dauntsey's, Kingham Hill, King Edward's, Bath, Cokethorpe, Wychwood, Rendcomb, Pate's Grammar & St Edward's in Cheltenham. The Headmaster was so delighted he cancelled lessons and as a special treat arranged an entertainer for the whole school as well as a special lunch including chocolates for everyone. The teachers had champagne. For more information about the school please telephone Liz Cunningham (01367 240618). See www.ferndaleschool.co.uk/news.htm for more details

Dogs Mess and poly bags - 8/3/04 I quite agree - there is no point in picking up dog mess if the bag is then to be thrown in the shrubbery. I walk my dog up there and confess that I don't always remove his mess unless it is on the path or any of the tracks where others walk. The main problem area appears to be the path leading from Stanford Road (the one past Tuckers Road and Nursery View (?). I'm quite sure that a dog waste bin would be used by many dog owners if one was put there. The one by the official Folly path is used. Name supplied

Can you believe it?? - 7/3/04 What is in the minds of dog owners who conscientiously pick up their dogs mess in a polythene bag, and then throw the bag into the shrubbery. This seems worse than leaving the mess where it is - at least it will bio-degrade there Any thoughts? Any suggestions? Name supplied

Faringdon Folly Cleanup - 7/3/04 Volunteers will be litter picking and sweeping the path up to and around the Folly this weekend, in readiness for the Tower opening from Easter Sunday.

Folly Park Faringdon - 3/3/04 Would you like to get involved in nature conservation in your new park? We are looking for volunteers to help carry out conservation work in Folly Park, Faringdon. This Saturday March 6th we will be putting up bird and bat boxes from 10.00am to 12 noon. All welcome. Meet at the car park. Please wear suitable clothing. If you are arriving by car, the entrance is between Volunteer Way and the Esso garage on Park Road. Follow the road sign down the track to the car park. For further information please contact Mary Lambe at Vale of White Horse District Council 01235 540344 mary.lambe@whitehorsedc.gov.uk A sign for the park has gone up on Park Road and we're hoping to get one put up on Stanford Road shortly.

Roman Coins found in Oxfordshire- 26/2/04 You may have heard on the national news that a rare Roman coin has been found in Oxfordshire. It was in fact found by a brother and sister, the latter lived in Faringdon until recently. When we've got the full story, we'll put it on this site Gene Webb

Street Cleanliness - 26/2/04 Apparently the government is pressing for Councils to improve the state of cleanliness of the streets. There was a piece on Radio Oxford Monday morning, when Faringdon was the focus. It seems VWHDC have responded - I saw the local man using the motorised pavement sweeper today (this is a push one, not a ride on one as used by the previous contractor) Good news that some action is being taken, but sadly the results are not so good. I walked into the town to see grit and grime that was once on the inside edge of the pavement now moved to the middle where people walk! Its even more noticeable than before! It must be quite hard work to push this machine, especially when 2 or 3 passes are needed to do the job properly. It is inefficient (and not very motivating) for the man not to have equipment that would do the job more throuroughly and swiftly. If you have views about the state of cleanliness of streets in the town and streets beyond, contact the Waste Management team at VWHDC. Email:waste.team@whitehorsedc.gov.uk or phone them on 01235 520202 Gene Webb

Roadworks in Faringdon - 4/2/04 To add insult to the sixteen weeks of misery which is affecting local traders the workmen have kindly decided to take up the reduced parking spaces offered at the top end of Market Place. It may be in our interests to suggest Gloucester Street Car Park though this may be a little too far for them to walk! Name and address supplied

Faringdon Cinema- 14/2/04 I am researching local cinema history and would like to hear from anyone who can provide any info on the old cinema in the Corn Exchange or the later Rialto/Regent, situated where Regent Mews now is. Photos, descriptions of the interior, memories of going to the pictures or working at the cinema would all be of interest to me Ian Meyrick, Witney (01993 705189) ian@imeyrick.freeserve.co.uk Many thanks

Faringdon Town Council website - 4/2/04 Have a look at www.faringdontowncouncil.org.uk - recently launched. Needs more info, but looks to be a good start Gene Webb

Faringdon Garage, Marlborough St - 30/1/04 A planning application for the erection of 2,3 and 4 storey residential development(14 units) has been made. Garage buildings will be demolished Call 01235 520202 to ask questions, see the plans at the Council office in the Corn Exchange. Gene Webb

Local Government Electronic services - 30/1/04 In 2001 the Government set targets for councils to make 100% of services available electronically (Those that are suitable for electronic service delivery) by 2005. They have given £200k each year to help councils achieve this. I have just read that Oxfordshire County Council have been named as one of the 16 councils across the country that have not achieved suitable progress and need special assistance. VWHDC were one of the last 3 councils to have a website- this was available just over a year ago - and it is nowhere near offering electronic services yet - so maybe they are in the same position. Councils should be offering things like payments, reporting problems, planning applications, booking facilities, consultation with us- all online or through a non manned telephone system - the intention is that the services are then more accessible (ie 24/7) and - if they do it well - money should be saved through automation. I think a long way to go for our area Gene Webb

Free parking - 28/1/04 There is now a notice in Budgens that states if you spend a minimum of £10 you will be given up to 40p parking refund on production of a that day's parking ticket receipt . You get a receipt by hitting the appropriate button on the ticket machine. Chamber of commerce will be encouraging other Market Square businesses to join the scheme. Gene Webb

Street Cleaning - 27/1/04 VWHDC how have an email address where you can send comments /requests about street cleaning, refuse collection, recycling and public loos. I'm told they look at it each day. Email: waste.team@whitehorsedc.gov.uk

Town Meeting - 26/1/04 Key points from the meeting Total FTC precept estimated at £234k (03/04 £208k).approximately 12% increase. £6500 has been budgeted for a tractor, trailer and other park equipment, to replace that which was stolen. Insurance claim for old tractor being made. £3000 has been added to the advertising budget to support the Community Bus There is to be a new notice board to replace the existing one on the Corn Exchange (£3k budgeted 03/04) The grants budget has been increased to £20k (from £13k). This is the money that organisations in the town can apply for. Land behind Willes Close Skate Park behind Willes close not possible. VWHDC Environmental Health dept have said there will be too much noise pollution for residents (£26.5k budgeted in 02/03 and 03/04 will be returned to reserves) This land is owned by FTC. and was given to the town by Oxfordshire County Council. There are currently conditions on how it may be used. It currently has no vehicle access. FTC say they will be considering other uses for the land, and will welcome suggestions from residents Pump House Tenders are being advertised to repair and refurbish the original Pump House building. It is thought that these will be between £150k and £250k. Disabled access is included, but not a disabled lift to the 1st and 2nd floors. Not clear if this includes the roof, which I have heard needs replacing entirely. The loan of £150k, plus £20k budgeted in 02/03 and £40k in 04/05 is to cover these repairs. £20k has been budgeted for architects fees in 04/05(same as 03/04) No mention was made of where the funds for other work will come from. No mention was made of amounts spent so far, but I have heard this is around £90k(probably including consultants and architects fees) The theatre will be 'mothballed' for up to five years - in which time a decision will be made as to what to do about it. It was stated by a town councillor that the refurbishment figures produced by De Facto(the consultants that FTC employed at a cost of £28k) were thought to be unrealistically high. (These ranged from around £600k to £1.1m) No annual running costs or projected income have been calculated yet, but it was stated that income is highly unlikely to cover running costs. Corn Exchange VWHDC own this building and are intending to charge a rent to FTC for its use. FTC believe that the costs they already bear - management, cleaning, floor maintenance, Council Tax, heating etc amounts to around £17k per annum, and that this is sufficient. They are in discussion. I asked that FTC suggest to VWHDC that the loos need refurbishment. New stage for the Corn Exchange is no longer planned (£5k in 03/04 to be put back in reserves) Repair of Portwell Pump This important feature of the Market Place was damaged by a Stagecoach bus some time ago. Joint Environment Trust is pursuing its repair. It is thought that it belongs to Lord Faringdon as it was once part of the Pump House. Faringdon Town Council web site It will be accessible on Monday 2nd Feb. No idea what its like, or what the address is. I expect Google will find it!! I understand it has cost £1200, with £550 running costs budgeted in 04/05 Street Cleaning I asked the VWHDC councillors present to look into this as the streets are very dirty again. I asked FTC also to push for improvement. Pavements and parking As these are County Council issues, Judith Heathcoat our County Councillor spoke with the concerned residents after the meeting There were only 5 non councillor people there - sad! Gene Webb

Puppet Show at the Corn Exchange - 10/1/04 Faringdon Town Council and VWHDC arranged this puppet show. It was great - Arabian Nights stories with wonderful hand made puppets - the children loved them- and were spellbound for nearly an hour and a quarter. I think there's another show in February- Rumpelstiltskin Find more of these joint events on at http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/Arts/DetailPage-3538.asp

Computer Courses- 9/1/04 The Haven (Oxfordshire Mind) has a computer course running on a Thursday from 11a.m. - 1 p.m. starting on 22nd January. The course will be designed for beginners mainly, but will also cater for those with some experience of using a computer. The Haven is an open access mental health centre in Wantage, and more details can be obtained by phoning Lynne or Helen (the workers) on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10.30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on 01235 771043.

Dog Mess at the Folly - 9/1/04 As a responsible dog owner, who enjoys the beautiful views from the Folly and circular walks around Faringdon I am very concerned with regard to the amount of dog mess accumulating in these areas. It is also being compounded by some individuals clearing up after their dogs but discarding the undegradable plastic bags under the vegetation, which seems somewhat counter productive. Additional waste bins would be a great idea at the alternative exit points from the Folly, especially at the bottom of the track that leads off Standford road. A Waste bin at the corner of Coach Lane and Church Street would also enable a "dropping off" point for those on the circular town walk. Kind Regards Lisa Heaton

Free parking- 9/1/04 Budgens will refund at least some of your car parking costs if you take your ticket into the store. The only way I can think it works is that you have to load your shopping into the car then go back to Budgens with the car park ticket and the receipt - to minimise the time that your car is parked without displaying a ticket. Have a look at the notice in the car park that mentions 'participating shops'. I've checked that Budgens do this, but I don't know if other stores will do the same - I'll check - but maybe one of you knows?? Gene Webb

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