We are holding two trips into Ardley Quarry near Bicester on Tuesday 4th and Tuesday 11th April 2006. This is a great chance for some fossil hunting in the Jurassic limestones, as well as the opportunity to see one of the county's largest active quarries.
To book places for either day please contact us on 01367 243260 or e-mail contact@oxfordshiregt.org.
Dino Days, one at The Batt School in Witney on Friday 7th April, and one at Chipping Norton Town Hall on Monday 10th April., 11am - 3pm
There will be plenty of dinosaur activities to take part in, lots of rocks and fossils to look at, and the chance to meet Trixie the Triceratops!
More information
Norman Snelling
VWHDC and Thames water are offering these at a special price, that includes delivery.
"All the Councils in Oxfordshire have entered into an agreement to supply composters and water butts to residents at reduced prices. The benefit of this year’s promotion is that all prices quoted are inclusive of delivery direct to the householder.
These are not subsidised by the Councils, but do receive some funding from Thames Water.
You will also see that the water butt kit also includes a child safe lid, a stand and a rain diverter.
The leaflet promoting this for 2006 is currently in production and will be delivered to every household in Oxfordshire in the coming months"
It couldn't be easier so why not give it a try? Call 0845 1306090 (not VWHDC)
More info on www.getcomposting.com/oxon
Copy of draft leaflet (Adobe 7 needed)
Would anyone be interested in joining a group that loves to sing and act I am looking to set up a group that loves musical theatre. I would look to staging maybe 2 musicals per year and possibly a panto around christmas
This group would be open to all abilities and ages
if you are interested let me know
my email is scott.gildert@dsl.pipex.com
I have already pointed out to many people, and again at the Chamber meeting on Tuesday last, that the present Farmers' Market is held monthly on a Tuesday to complement the weekly market (whose original Charter was awarded to the town by King John)
Also, what anyone wishing to start a Saturday market has to realise is that most of the present complement of Farmers' Market traders do not wish to attend on a Saturday even if they could! In fact some of them actually attend markets elsewhere on other Saturdays anyway, so Simon Holmes would have to find a new set of traders.
Rosemary Packer and I have often been asked whether we would run a market on Saturdays for the very reasons Simon is asking about, but both she and I want our weekends free, thank you.
Also there is a lot of work in arranging such a market, not least having permission to use the ground that we use on a Tuesday, and making sure all traders have proper insurance etc.
It isn't that easy vis a vis "snap them up" as you will see from above, the farmers who attend have their own helpers!
If Simon is serious, the first port of call to set up a second market would be to contact the Thames Valley Farmers' Market Association
Mike Heathcoat
Great to hear all the positive comments about the French Market - it was a resounding success and lovely to see the market place so busy!
In answer to the posting about the Craft Market there are already plans afoot for regular craft markets in the Corn Exchange - the first one is being held on Saturday 15th April from 10am - 4pm.
Let's hope it's as well received as the French Market.
I would also like to add that there has been much discussion over the past year about extending the markets in Faringdon to include a weekend market. The idea is well supported but not quite as easy as it may sound!
Discussions continue and the sort of positive feedback given on this site can only help to push this project forward
Anna Marlow
Folly Park Quiz with easter egg prize for under 8's and 8+
Sponsored by Faringdon Motor Parts
Closing Date 21st April 2006
Download Quiz sheet (29kb)
Friends of Folly Park
Yes ! A weekend market would be great !
Even better would be the addition of a craft-fair in the corn exchange a la Cirencester or even a carboot sale.
Residents would happily walk to such attractions.
BUT...(there’s usually a BUT).... Where would the visitors find a convenient place to park their cars ?
Wet Blanket
(AKA HGM)
Well done to Simon Holmes!
I also work out of the local area five days a week (I'm pretty sure its not just the two of us) and try to shop as much as possible in the local area at weekends.
This however means driving to Wantage market.
Why can't Faringdon have its own weekend market? It would bring the town to life in the most fantastic way. The French market was fantastic - I've gained half a stone in a week on a diet based loosely on cheese, wine and bread.
More of the same please!
Mel Taylor
Firstly, Sunday was indeed a resounding success and congratulations to all those involved in the organisation.
Events like this should remind us all what a stunning town Faringdon can be when lit by sunshine and the sound of a bustling crowd.
Simon Holmes makes a very good point that the weekly Tuesday and monthly Farmers' markets would work even better at weekends and this very question was raised at this week's Chamber of Commerce meeting. Part of the reason it is not held at the weekend is that the stall holders have a packed diary of markets they attend so it is not that easy for them to switch from one day of the week to another.
However, it is not beyond the realms of possibility for this to change with a bit of organisation and it may well be worth your while Simon contacting Mike Heathcoat who does a fantastic job of organising the monthly Farmers' Market.
I'm sure he would appreciate any offers of help to progress the Market.
If you'd like to contact me I can let you have Mike's contact details.
David Reynolds
info@peluche.co.uk
I'd be up for helping with a Weekend Market too.
We really need someone from the Chamber of Commerce to comment.
Paul Cornell
ED: Contact information for the Chamber can be found on tatownaffairs1.htm
When I first came into Faringdon some two years ago, I misread the sign on Park Road and thought it read "Welcome to Faringdon, hysterical market town".
I searched around but didn't get the joke (at first.)
Now I understand that the market was so old, it was historic.
Well done to the French and the organisers for bringing life back last Sunday.
That's more like it!
You might be able to change the sign to 'modern market town' one day.
Barking dog
On Sunday I came into town with my 6 year old son to take a look at the French market and was amazed to see the number of people wandering around, tables outside the coffee shop and Portwell bar, busy with people enjoying the event, and it got me thinking... then it got me a bit worked up... I've lived in Faringdon for around 5 years now, and I drive past the signs welcoming me to "A Market town" every day, and in all those 5 years, this is the first time I've seen a vibrant market in the town.
The markets during the week (be it regular market or Farmers market) may deliver the same kind of energy, but I work during the week, in Swindon, and therefore don't enjoy the benefit of them. I talked this through with a few friends and various different opinions were presented as to why the town can't enjoy a market at weekend, but I'm unsure as to whether any of the answers are factually correct or based on their own ideas.
The point I'm rambling towards is, why doesn't a town like ours, with a perfectly positioned market square, offer up a regular weekend market ? I know I would use it on a regular basis and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
Does anyone know who is responsible for organising the market, and why it seems to be limited to only reaching a fraction of the population ?
I would be more than happy to give up some of my own time to help organise something that would attract not just the residents of the town, but visitors from the surrounding area, who might just come to enjoy "Faringdon - A Market town".
Simon Holmes
Ed: Suggest you contact FAP via Julie Farmer Julie.Farmer@fap.org.uk
I wonder what Faringdon Town council will do to our Council Tax when all the new houses are occupied.
They could say whoopee!! 487 * £107.20(Band E) = around £52K extra to spend
or they could say hey we can reduce the amount each household pays- by spreading the current budget level over the new houses (2786 now, 3273 in two+ years) This would mean a reduction from about £79 per household to £67.
Of course VWHDC will have a similar decision to make. I'm not sure how many new homes there will be across the district but what is certian is that we won't know whether either councils will take the oportunity to reduce the contribution per household ot simply view isas a an opportunity for having more ( of our) money to spend
Perhaps our opinion will be asked!!!
Gene Webb
Working dogs are excluded from the law about collars and tags.
A few years ago our dog was "dognapped" by a passing motorist when he decided to take a short cut along the road verge after helping round up the cows for milking.
Had the motorist taken the trouble to stop at any of the nearby houses they would have told him whose dog it was.
It cost us a lot of money and some inconvenience to get him back
Jane Boulton
I don't think dog owners should be too worried that this man was 'dognapping' at the Folly.
Yes, I appreciate that it is a growing and very nasty crime, but would he still have been in the area an hour and a half after the dog went missing ?. Perhaps he should be thanked for looking after this, as he probably thought, stray dog.
I think this just highlights the importance of correct identification on dogs. As far as I know, it is against the law for a dog not to have an address and telephone number on it's collar.
Microchips are very good, but not unless you are in a position to have a 'microchip reader' ie. vets surgery, animal rescue centre. I'm sure this man, and most other people would have rung the owner if a number had been available.
Dogs without collars and ID might be assumed abandoned
Name supplied
What happen to Rob cheese shop?
Will it ever be back?
Like cheese and the apple pies just never seemed to get there when it was open
Name supplied
Congratulations to The Faringdon Chamber of Commerce for organising this market - it was a great success
Julie Farmer
The children at Faringdon Community School take an active role in picking up litter and maintaining their school site.
It is wholly unreasonable to expect them to take a significant lead in clearing waste from the streets and pathways around Faringdon particularly when so much of it is potentially hazardous;
I think if we are harping back to a distant era then the author of last mail on this subject might want to consider putting together a 'working party' (or did they call it a fatigue) of volunteers from across the community, to tackle this task.
I wouldn't want anyone to get the impression that the rubbish that litters Faringdon is entirely down to its young people - I could point out a few adults who regularly allow their dogs to foul Gloucester Sreet's pavements.
Name supplied
In response to the rubbish and litter comment, I would agree that parts of Faringdon are very unsightly due to 'fly tipping', but that our own town sweeper is doing a very good job in tidying up the streets.
Clearly the Council could do more in cleaning up the areas worse affected.
By the way, Faringdon Community College has a very good litter duty rota which has been so for many years. Two nominated students referred to as "EPO's" (Environmental Protection Officers) collect litter every day around the whole school site and outside the leisure centre.
Name supplied
I expect many of you know that when a signiifcant development takes place, the developer is required to provide money or facilities to the community in recognition of the increased population. There is much planning law and guidance surrounding these 106 agreements, and clearly the community gain has to be appropriate for the size of the develpment
A Supplementary Planning Guidance document has been produced ( see www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/PlanningPolicy/LocalPlan/supplementaryguidance.asp)
which lists the things that Vwhdc think we may want as a community ( this document appears to be quite old - and I'm not sure if it has been updated)
ie
An extension to the Leisure centre gym and car park
An additional fottball pitch at the school/ leisure centre
A skate park
Community Art
and from Faringdon Town Council
Faringdon Community Centre
Faringdon Commumnity Bus
It also includes essentials - things like road building, sewerage, contributons to education, fire, library
A development of this size is a rare occurrence - so we must be sure that it delivers what the community needs. With this in mind a group of us met to discuss the Community needs. We were representives of FTC, Chamber of Commerce, Fap, Far, Retailers group - and we used the Healthcheck action plan document to produce our list. Which, in our priority order is:-
Car parking - to encourage existing and new residents to use the shops and facilities in the town- huge money needed
A Skate Park to be located in the country park possibly near the new cricket ground £5k
Youth Club to be located in the old bar in the Community Centre/Pump House, £30k
Tucker Park Development.- rugby pitch - estimated cost £15,000- A Trim Track - estimated cost £17,000 An all weather sports pitch - estimated cost £200,000
Additional Community Bus and paid driver, £100k
National Coach Pick Up Point- in one of the planned bus stops on Park road
Disabled lift in the Pump Rooms- £30k
Faringdon Guide - for all residents - definitive information about the facilities in the town, £10k
Performance venue, £50k
It is expected that grants will be available for the skate park,sports and performance facilites - so figures above are for pump priming
FTC ( Alan Hickmore) has written to VWHDC with our list, and has asked for it to be included in the Supplementary Planning Guidance doc that will be out for consultation. He has also asked about the about the consultatioon process and activities - we think it is from 23/3 for 6 weeks. Open meetings and displays have been mentioned - but no detail or dates is currently known.
It is absolutely critical that when the consultation is open that as many people as possible make their views known - otherwise we'll get what VWHDC want - which looks, on the whole like extensions to their property in Faringdon
Please keep an eye on this website and around the town for updates and opportunites to comment.
Also have a think about what you believe to be most important - it is highly unlikely that we'll get it all
Gene Webb
Faringdon is a nice town, we all know it but I'm afraid that the state of some of the open areas and linking footpaths around town is pretty abysmal.
The walk from Southampton Street to Park Road, or up Pioneer Road across the grass land is strewn with rubbish - bikes, trolleys and all nature of plastic and paper rubbish.
It is the same up Sand Pits/Rogers Cement and the fences around the school fields that are quite a disgrace.
The rubbish is unsightly and as a previous contributor noted about kids throwing glass - frequently glass ridden and dangerous for pets and young children.
When at school in Wiltshire we used to have a school litter session once a week to clear the school grounds - perhaps Faringdon School ought to do the same. Educating children to pick up litter also might help encourage them to put it in bins in the first place (especially if they have to go out weekly to 'womble' around the school grounds in all weather to pick it up.
Some householders ought to do better as well - I see quite a few idle folks at the back of Town End Road/Butts Road who think it is much easier to throw their decorating/gardening waste over the back fence into the field rather than take the 5 minute trip to the tip on the Stanford Road!
What measures does VWHDC take to improve matters, some of the litter has been there for months in the bushes?
We need more bins, and the school might start educating the kids to use them!
We could all take a little more pride in our town, but more bins, regularly emptied, dog litter bins and some programme of litter/rubbish clearance, if only annually by the council or folks on community orders would assist in keeping the town cleaner.
Name supplied
Ed: hear hear!
Today, it appears someone tried to take my black labrador bitch from the Folly.
My dog-walker had let her off the lead to do her usual hole digging and she was missing for an hour and a half.
My dog walker, obviously very worried, was calling and whistling for her and asking other walkers if they'd seen her.
A few people said they'd seen her with a man.
When she eventually found her, the man had our dog on a lead, told her off for not having the dog tagged (she is microchipped), said he'd found her near the 420 and offered to keep her.
He seemed to think it was funny that she'd spent some time frantically looking for her. of course, this could be totally innocent but my dog-walker is upset and was intimidated.
Since our dog is 6 years old, gun trained and slowing down a bit, we find it highly unlikely that she'd run off, totally out of character and start running around near the main road some distance off.
As I said, this could be innocent but after hearing of dog snatchers operating around Swindon, I advise all Faringdon dog walkers to be on your guard.
The man was walking with a collie and had a spare lead with him which he used on our dog.
Thanks to everyone who assisted in the search today
Mel Taylor
I would like to reply to the comments made about the skate park.
The Faringdon SK8 park committee are working tirelessly to get a skate park in Faringdon and feel we are nearer than ever to our goal.
It has been recognised that youth facilities are badly needed in the town.
We are in discussion with the District council with regard to the location of the park. . The extension to the Folly Park on Jespers hill, we feel, is the ideal location for the park.
Hopefully we can convince the planners that it can work, we will certainly put forward our argument vigorously.
Ed Vaizey was great when our little delegation went to see him and recorded the kids on a pod cast, lets give these kids a voice, after all they should be encouraged to have an interest in the Town and its workings.
Please show your support for us when you can.
Mandy James (chairperson SK8 Park committee)
I'm sure that it has been noticed that the Council tax bands for Faringdon takes the gold medal this year.
The Council tax is the highest fot the whole of the Vale.
Of course, we do get a better service, we do have better facilities, our streets are paved with gold.
Compared with the services and facilities in Wantage and Abingdon, clearly they are have reason to grumble.
Am I being unduly critical, or have I missed something?
Would a councillor please explain why our bill is so high?
Devils Advocate
Ed: It's the Faringdon Town Council budget that makes us the highest in the Vale- high spend on the Pump House!
I noticed this small item in the Times this morning:
(The Times, Thursday March 16, News, p13, PEOPLE, Hugo Rifkind.)
"There are few cats more hip than Ed Vaizey, the podcasting Conservative MP for Wantage who, we are told. is campaigning for a skate park in the Oxfordshire town of Faringdon, after hoodied youths petitioned his surgery. We haven't yet managed to ask him why it’s so mega sketchy that the lokals haven't even got a kinked rail to down their tricktionary grindage on without the donut shop going Crazy Texan on their session, but we will".
Just to remind anyone who's interested in this, the skatepark campaign has been around for a number of years, and here is another item, from our very own Talking Points in.......13/01/03
......... Tribe UK are to evaluate the possible Skate park sites. These are:- Willes Close, Marlborough Gardens play area, Tucker park, and the Country park.
The evaluation report (hopefully completed by end Jan/early Feb 03) will be in the public domain, but probably not until the Town Council have considered it.
The Town Council's preferred site is Willes Close because it is near the town centre and is owned by the Town Council designated for leisure space, providing issues raised by nearby residents can be overcome. No other uses for this land, owned by the town, have been considered. Building of the skate park will go out to tender. £25k has been allocated to fund the development, some of this is 2002/3 Town Council budget and some will be in 2003/4 budget year. No mention was made of the running costs of the park.
Steve Leniec hopes the skate park will be ready to use by the summer.
From FAR [Faringdon Association of Residents] meeting.
Personally I am nearer to using a zimmer than a skateboard - so I couldn't walk the walk, but lets see if something actually happens this time round....obviously so far no one yet has been able to talk the talk!
Folly (not very hip) Cat
PS. I asked Hugo Rifkind for a translation of the last sentence, for those of us whose language skills need updating.
Here it is, and many thanks, Hugo Rifkind.
"Roughly speaking, the last sentence means 'We haven't yet managed to ask Vaizey why it is so terribly bad that the resident skaters don't even have a damaged piece of old skatepark terrain on which to practise their repertoire of moves without the police getting incredibly cross at the whole situation.' I think. "
see Ed Vaizey news/diary: http://www.vaizey.com/type2show.asp?ref=94&ID=59
It seems that VWHDC are 'exploring possibilities'- surrounding the VWHDC office - the decision to close has not been made yet
Faringdon Town Council have started a petition against the closure of the Vale's office in Faringdon- It's not known what alternative services provision VWHDC will put in place ( if any) but if this is inadequate it could have a detrimental effect on the workload and running costs of the Faringdion Town Council office.
The petition is available in the Corn Exchange office, the T.I.C. office and in the Library.
Obviously we want to get as many signatures as possible before the VWHDC meeting in Faringdon on 22nd March
.
But if you're unable to call in any of these places do email me with your views and what the impact of not having a Vwhdc office in Faringdon will have on you
June Rennie
june@faringdontowncouncil.org.uk
Well done to our community support officer and the traffic wardens from Abingdon who are doing a stirling job of deterring illegal parkers in Faringdon.
It's amazing the number of visitors to Faringdon and some local residents who don't seem to have worked out that it's a risky financial gamble to park along certain stretches of these roads particularly those bits which have the pretty yellow lines running parallel to the kerb!
Now all that remains is to work on those ignorant individuals who think it their right to park on the pavements of Faringdon (and I am not referring to over nighters who generally arrive late in the evening and are gone by the early morning)
Ii was one of these individuals who nearly cost my son his life the other day; so shocked and hurt was he that he was not able to get the plate number of the car as it sped away.
Pavements are for people - please understand.
Name supplied
Boris Johnson MP describes himself as, " I... well, I'm me.
The MP for Henley-on-Thames, editor of the Spectator, columnist for all sorts of wonderful publications and a damn good chap, some might say."
Well, you could hear Boris speak at the forthcoming VRH Charity dinner.
Volunteer Reading Help (VRH) is holding their annual dinner at the beautiful commercial restaurant at Oxford Brookes University, Headington. This year they are lucky enough to have The Hon Boris Johnson MP as their guest speaker.
VRH is a national charity working to enable children to become confident and literate for life and to impart a love of reading through the sustained commitment of trained volunteers. In Oxfordshire alone VRH helps 750 young children every week, including support at the Faringdon Infants and Faringdon Junior Schools.
VRH recruits and trains volunteers to work with children aged 6 to 11 who find reading a challenge and may need extra support and mentoring.
Without individual support children can fall behind their peers and lack confidence and self esteem.
Their trained network of reading helpers support the same children week in, week out, giving each an hour of quality, one to one time. They read, they play, they talk. With the support of VRH their approach to learning and enjoying is often transformed.
Their confidence, self esteem and reading standards improve. Results from the annual pupil survey indicate that intervention and mentoring support improves not only a child's reading ability, but also their self-confidence and self-esteem. Results also showed an improvement in reading age of 15-24 months in 80% of VRH-supported children.
You can learn more about VRH at www.vrh.org.uk
The dinner is on Friday 26th May at 7.30pm and tickets cost £35 per head including drinks and canapés. Venue is the commercial restaurant at Oxford Brookes University, Headington.
For more details please contact Eddie Williams on 01367 241142 or email edchriswilliams@aol.com
A few weeks ago I successfully auditioned for a Variety Show to be staged at Her Majesty's Theatre Haymarket.
This is a dream come true
Over 8 Weekends 41 people who have come from all over the UK will train to put on a Professional West End Variety show to be Perfomed in the West End on Sunday 26th March
Anyone wishing to see this one Night Only performance should call the Box office on 01502 516918
As well as 41 principal cast their will be Dance troupes and speciality acts performing, making this a truly spectacular show
Performance starts at 6:30pm and ends approx 9:30pm
Scott Gildert
Ed: Have you thought of offering your performance at the Faringdon Arts Festival??
Hello, I wondered if you know what has become of Peter Classey of Classey Books, Marlborough Street.
I have tried both his business and home telephone numbers but neither are now available.
Many thanks,
Linda Svensson
linda@webskills.co.uk
PLEASE CAN YOU HELP ME?
OUR WONDERFUL 1 YR OLD BLACK WHITE AND TAN, BROKEN COATED JACK RUSSELL WAS STOLEN FROM CHOLSEY NEAR WALLINGFORD ON 19.2.06. APPARENTLY A DOG JUST LIKE HER HAS BEEN SEEN IN THE LAST WEEK LOOSE AND SCARED RUNNING IN LONDON STREET.
ARE YOU ABLE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS SPOTTED HER?
THE DOG WARDEN IS AWARE OF HER.
THANKS, LIZZIE 07785 340 828.
LTA@TRIGGERFILMS.COM
I am very concerned about your comments that emails to the Town Council have gone unanswered.
My address is clearly shown on our Website, but I have received no emails enquiring about how to become a Councillor. Can you tell me please the dates when you sent them and I will investigate this.
Unfortunately, the law prevents you becoming a Council member until you are 21 years of age. However, this does not prevent you from attending Council meetings and putting your views to the members in Public Speaking Time. Although our office is only open to the public during weekday mornings, I am always prepared to meet outside of these hours if asked.
June Rennie
Town Clerk Faringdon Town Council
I have just noticed that you can view planning applications online at http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/Planning/publicaccess.asp
You need the planning application number and then you can view the application form and site plans - all in pdf files.
You can also submit comments using the online system
Hooray - a step forward!!
Gene Webb
M.A.D.D are looking for people who would like to help at the M.A.D.D May Fest.
28th April-1st May.
Please contact Sam or Hilary on 01367-243806
Sam Prince
Congratulations to Gene Webb and Hilary Taylor, Co-Editors of www.faringdon.org for the well deserved praise for their efforts on page three of the Faringdon Folly.
Please, ladies, don't let your natural modesty force you to suppress this comment. (However much you may blush in private)
An Admirer (AKA HGM)
Ed: Thankyou Harry- page 3 eh? better not meet - the illusion will be shattered
Heard the other evening that Thames Water kept a close eye on this website when the controversy about the Sewerage Farm was going on - they said they took on board the views in TalkingPoints- and had the impression that there is a good community spirit in Faringdon. Hil and I were really pleased!!
Does anyone know what alterations are to be carried out on the north end of the market place on the 8th March?
Name supplied
I heard the other evening that if an ambulance is sent to Faringdon, if the crew don't know Faringdon they follow their GPS - and are directed up the Stanford Road from the A420!!
This was from someone who interacts with the Ambulance service - so I guess it is true
Gene Webb
The picture of the "unimproved" old Market Square emphasises the unsympathetic nature of the "improvements" foisted on the Town at vast expense.
The clear open space is now cluttered with posts, signs, kerbs and humps which are already discoloured with road dirt and chewing gum, and it is no longer fit for purpose as a Market Square (but evidently great for skeateboarding!)
Name Supplied
POWERTRAIN playing classic rock covers at The Corn Exchange, Faringdon, 18th March 2006, Doors open 7:30 pm.
with support from "The Generals" and Simon Stafford.
Tickets £5 in advance from the Portwell Bar or The Barbers Shop, Marlborough St, £7 on the door.
All proceeds to Faringdon Arts Festival
Hello! My name is Sarah and I used to be a resident in Faringdon and attended the Community College until going to University last year.
For my gap year I went to Fiji to work with underprivileged children who were deaf and disabled.
I am currently trying to raise £1000 towards new wheelchair equipment for the children, as they have a huge lack of resources and this is impacting both the teachers/carers and the children themselves.
I was wondering if you had any idea of anyone who might be interested in making a donation to the cause?
I have some upcoming sponsored events here at university, but it is a great deal of money to raise.
I would be really appreciative of any help you could give.
Thank you in advance,
Sarah Banks
sarahbanks@fsmail.net
A ladies watch has been found on the bridlepath at Wicklesham.
If anyone wishes to claim ownership, please contact me at sallenstevens@wicklesham.co.uk
Sarah Allen-Stevens
I am an 18 year-old living in Faringdon and fed-up with promises from the Town Council for youth facilities and nothing ever delivered.
I'd like to join the Town Council but how?
I work during the day (outside of Faringdon) and the office is never open at the weekends. My lunch-hour is 1pm-2pm, when the office is closed.
I've e-mailed to ask for help, and have had no reply.
There's no information on the Town Council website as to how to join or whether I need to fill in forms.
How does anyone ever join the Town Council or get to be elected?
Does anyone know what I need to do?
Name supplied
April 23rd is St George's Day and there is a move afoot to make it a public holiday.
I'm not sure why he should be recognised in this way but he is (if he ever existed ) the Patron Saint of all 'Englishpersons' and not just of Football Fanatics.
Any one feeling strongly about the subject should go to www.stgeorgesday.com/voting.asp and register a vote in his favour. I'm sure he would be very touched
HGM
Just to add to Gene's posting below, and to clarify matters slightly.
The Inspectors report into the VOWH local plan, does not approve the development of 400 dwellings at the Nursery site, nor does it approve a further 150 at the Red House. This in reality can only be done following a planning application for which there is not one.
For fear of being pedantic, what the Inspector does, is he recommends ratification of the Councils proposal in its draft local plan to allocate the land at the old nursery site for 400 dwellings. Given this position the allocation will almost certainly be adopted and no doubt an application will soon follow. The Council will be in a reasonable postion to recommend approval of any such application, subject to its content being acceptable to them. Residents affected can still however make valid planning objections to any such application,when it is submitted, but these will be in the context of the principle of development being accepted via the local plan process.
In respect of Land at Red Lodge, the Inspector has recommended that the site and plantation be allocated but for 37 dwellings, not the 150 mentioned below. The Council did not support this proposal at the inquiry, and may or may not accept the inspectors recomendation.
We will all need to wait in eager anticipation of the Councils proposed modifications, expected some time in March/April I think, to see what the planning authority propose to do.
Hope I've not offended you Gene for attempting to clarify matters.
Devil's Advocate
Ed; No probs - glad to have accurate info
I agree with HGM on 15 Feb....we definitely hope for more Folly decorations next year, the Folly lights are the BEST of all the lights in Faringdon....and....no pressure Pete, but we have come to expect them now!!
Thanks for all your hard work.
Name supplied
Ed: Hear hear
Vale of White Horse District Council intend to charge £20 to visit the rat that lives in your house and deal with it, and make £27,000 a year from it, not just yours but altogether.
That's a lot of rats in the district! How do they know?
At the same time they propose to shut the District Council cash office in Gloucester Street to save £14,000.
Catch a bus to Abingdon to pay the rent? I don't think so.
Cutting services, charging for rats and proposing over 500 new homes all in the same week! Strange.
The Rat Catcher
Ed: I had heard a rumour that the cash office may close - does anyone know any more?
I would like to thank the kindly people who came to my wife's aid when she came off her bike in Coxwell Street on Monday 13.2.06. She managed to hit some of the many potholes and was catapulted off and suffered a nasty cut and a broken collar bone.
And please, if anybody saw the incident then please contact us as she would be more than grateful.
To those that parked inconsiderately in the street that day, may you have a plague of locusts descend on you.
What do double yellows mean?
Colin and Judy Eddy
I have just heard that the latest Local Plan, gives approval for 400 houses and business units ( near the Folly/Nursery View I believe) and another 150 homes at Red House- on the old Swindon Road
The VWHDC web site is down - there could be more information when it's available again
Faringdon Town Council have been discussing the possible planning gain(section 106 agreements) that the town would expect. I know they want this to include money to do the remainder of the Pump House(theatre and community room), and the normal additions for schools- no idea what else - perhaps we will be consulted!!
Gene Webb
It looks as if the batteries in Pete White's Folly Tower Lights have finally run down.
Once again Thanks Pete.
I'm sure I'm not the only one hoping for something similar next year.
HGM
Can I just send a warning to anybody intending to walk along the footpath that links Southampton St to Park Road.
A short while ago I saw at least three young lads from Faringdon School enjoying themselves by throwing bottles up into the air and watching as they smashed on the path - even more fun was had by breaking a wine bottle against a post. They ran away when I shouted (how brave of them !).
The path is a mess and very dangerous.
These lads, I saw a few minutes later walking up Berners Way and turning into Jespers Hill - wish I'd followed them further.
I hope they are pleased with themselves.
Name supplied
Received recently - the regular news paper form VWHDC- I scanned it for news of council activities in Faringdon - there were none mentioned. So feeling irritated I emailed VWHDC and said
' The VWHDC main towns are Abingdon, Wantage and Faringdon There is no mention of council activities in/for Faringdon in the recent Valeviews- indeed Faringdon isn't mentioned at all. But maybe that's because VWHDC have no activities/projects of significance in the town!!!!
In an area such as this, residents identify with the nearest town - not the Vale as a whole
VWHDC web site and Vale News should reflect this'
I was surprised by the reply which said' Thank you for your comments regarding the latest edition of Vale Views. If there are any particular council-related issues or events in Faringdon you would like to see coverage about I would be more than happy to hear from you.'
When I pointed out that I thought Valeviews existed to tell us about council activities - and other than going to Council meetings (in Abingdon!!) I knew of no other way to find out what is going on here.
I suggested that the departments were asked specifically about activities for each area
The reply to this was ' You are right in your assumptions regarding information gathering. All staff and councillors are invited to suggest content for Vale Views, but just like any other newspaper, we also welcome information from our readers, provided it is relevant to the Council’s business.
I will endeavour to find some Faringdon news for the next edition.
I have a suspicion that VWHDC have no significanr projects/activities going on in Faringdon - mind you that might be good news!!
If you know different let us know on Talking Points.
or if you have any suggestions for Vale Views you can email to comments@whitehorsedc.gov.uk
Gene Webb
It was interesting to read the post by Valerie about recorded and special deliveries being farmed out to courier services.
I would like to know what member of the postal staff said this, as its entirley untrue.
A package cannot be taken out by another company part way through the delivery process, so telling the customer that it is so is just misleading.
I am a postman in Faringdon, and althought I am not from the town, I have met some very friendly locals, and am very happy in my job. I may make the odd mistake, and I would imagine others do to, but then who doesn't!
Its not always nice getting up at 4am in the middle of winter and spending 3-4 hours walking the streets, but I am providing a valuable service, and don't like to let my customers down.
Hopefully, my customers are happy with the service I provide to them.
Name supplied
I think 'Local Resident's' reply is a little lame and the fact they wish to withold their name speaks volumes.
What part of 'My original posting was not aimed at the post men & women who delivers my letters' did they not understand?
Are you saying I do not have the right to complain when a service I have payed for is not provided?
Do you wish to defend Royal Mail Faringdon or just to continue to deflect the issue at hand?
David Poultney
I must say, I find that the Royal Mail tend to be at their worst around the midde of February.
I remember this time last year, that they failed to deliver even ONE of my Valentines cards. Not ONE!
I know for a fact that I must have had at least four or five because my cousin Derek is MUCH uglier and less suave and sofisticated than me, and even HE got three.
The posties' performance last year was an absolute disgrace, and I expect them to do FAR BETTER this year.
I am on good terms with my lawyers and I am inclined to sue if they do not perform satisfactorily this year.
Name Supplied
Ed: Thankyou - I didn't know this - I always wondered what happened to my Valentine cards too!
I'm really suprised that your parcels aren't delivered by van later in the day if they are too big/heavy for the postman.
I can honestly say that this has never happened to me. If I'm out, fair enough, I get a card asking me to collect but I've never had to do this just because the postman couldn't carry it.
At Christmas I understand they hired extra vans to cope with the parcel deliveries.
Have you contacted the Sorting Office to ask why you aren't getting a full postal service ?.
Name supplied
I think that your comments are very narrow minded, considering that your post person refuses to take days of sick because there job is important to them.
I think that you should appreciate that they wake up at 4 o'clock go out in all winds and weathers.
Do you not think that people jobs are hard enough without people like you complaining!
Maybe you should thank them every now and again.
Could you do it?.
Local resident
A huge well done to all those who worked so hard to put on a brilliant panto this year...everything was good; script, acting, costumes, songs and music, sets and lighting etc etc.
I absolutely loved it!
Oh yes I did!
Name supplied
In reply to 'Poor Postpeople - Give Them A Break !'
My original posting was not aimed at the post men & women who delivers my letters. Like I said, they find the 'Sorry you were out' post card already sorted and placed in their delivery bags.
I also appreciate the work they do in the community which may not be part of their job, like giving directions to visitors or helping older people over the ice rink that Budgen's create in town. (I will save this for another post)
My comment/complaint was about the system. I pay, through post & packing for a service, which is not being provided. If Royal Mail had a service where you could choose for the item to be held at the sorting office for later collection, at reduced cost then fine, then people would have that choice.
At the moment however we pay for a door to door service, at that is what I expect.
If the sorting office staff choose to keep items out of postpeople delivery bags to keep the weight down for health and safty purposes then fine, but then deliver the items by car or van.
Don't make us come and collect.
David Poultney
Be fair, We can't have it both ways! Earlier on these pages there was comment on illegally parked cars, and a certain amount of irritation that nothing was done about it. Now that the parking issue is being taken more seriously (and the police have warned us) There are complaints about that, too.
It seems that police/traffic wardens can't win.
On the subject of getting a ticket when no on else around you has - this has happened to me too. Cars come and go. Yours - and mine - just happened to be there at the same time as the warden. Just think of all the times you've parked illegally and got away with it. If you park illegally, you take a chance.
Sometimes you lose.
H. Taylor
Ed: In some council areas the Councils have taken over the enforcement of onstreet parking (in addition to car parks) from the police. I guess this will happen in Oxfordshire. Whether enforcement will be more effective if and when this happens here is a anyone's guess
Dead cat found on the Littleworth/Thrupp road. The cat is a black and silver tabby with white underside and paws. If this is your cat or you know to whom it belongs please contact me ASAP either via the message board or through the editor.
Joan Monks
My Faringdon postpeople still deliver parcels. I think the previous writers' postpeople are making up excuses!
Paul Cornell
I'm not a 'postperson' but I appreciate the work they do.....even if occasionally I have to collect a parcel from the depot.
The amount of non-letter mail they have now is amazing. How many of us do our shopping on-line ?. I did most of my Christmas shopping this way which involved parcels arriving every few days. Unless the mail is guaranteed next day delivery I don't think I would take a morning off work to wait for it, and if it is guaranteed delivery I've never known one not to be delivered, I'm sure I'm not just lucky.
These people receive far too little thanks - and if we lose this service we will regret it.
Saturday deliveries are already under threat - few courier companies deliver on Saturdays so why should Royal Mail ?.
Name supplied
Want to have your say about policing in Faringdon?
There is an open meeting at County Hall on 6th February, 10am
See press release for more information
Gene Webb
I am glad to see the debates remain lively!
About the "Sorry you were out" notes, I have suffered this too.
When I asked my postman about it he said because of the amount of parcels that were being misdelivered by new staff and because of the risk of theft, postmen do no longer deliver parcels unless a signature is required, in which case it will be farmed out to courier firms.
It is aggravating to take a morning off work to wait for an important parcel, only to receive a note at 11:30am ordering you to go to the depot before 12!
Valerie Simmons
. Yes, it is absolutely the case that anyone can put in a planning application on your property without your knowledge (and, in theory, receive an approval!).
However, what they can't do, of course, is go ahead with the development without your consent.
So your castle is safe!...until that is...you realise that your castle is suddenly worth many more thousands demolished than it will ever fetch in its current state!...Tough call, isn't it?
Seems not for some of those living in Coxwell Road!
David Reynolds
Not only do they issue tickets when legally parked but also don't issue tickets to ALL those illegally parked.
We received a ticket yesterday when the other cars illegally parked in the same road didn't. Fair cop for ours but it does smack a little of vindictiveness.
Also, a ticket issued to a friend last year didn't even have the correct road on it.
Perhaps the issuers should learn the geography of the town.
Name Supplied
Does anyone else have problems getting Royal Mail to deliver large parcels or heavy items to the door?
On Monday I collected the post and found a 'Sorry you were out' postcard on the doormat, with some letters. I actually heard the post being delivered and no one knocked the door, or rang the bell. This has happened several times in the past and I have managed to 'catch' the postie at the door.
It appears the large or heavy items are not actually put in the post bag for delivery in the first place, so he/she could not hand the item over and a visit to sorting office was in order.
Does anyone else suffer from this problem? If I pay for a service (In postage & packaging costs) is it too much to ask for an item to be delivered to my door?
David Poultney
I have written previously about the ridiculous parking restrictions in Gloucester Street and how they are being unnecessarily enforced.
This morning I have found that a ticket was slapped on my car yesterday morning at 8:32 despite the fact that it was legally parked; not even over the yellow line by a millimeter.
We are not just the victims of "jobsworths" but of time wasting, blind ones to boot.
Ifor Phillips
There are a number of geology related events planned through Februarey and March - have a look at WhatsOn and Press releases
I was somewhat mystefied as to why the council appear reluctant to formally assess the effectiveness/productivity of the TIO;
lets face it public organisation and those organisations in receipt of public funds, whether it be school, hospital etc have not only to demonstrate that they provide value for money, but that that they also provide a 'value added' component; how else are the public to have confidence in its elected council if they are not prepared to establish some sort of base line aginst which productivity can be measured.
£20k is a lot of money!!!!
Name supplied
According to Mr Reynolds an Englishman’s home may be his castle but anyone can apply for permission to build on it. Is that correct ? ?
If that is the case can a plan to access 26 Coxwell Road through the corner of its garden between 31 and 33 Elm Road in order to reduce the traffic entering Coxwell Road be possible ?
Surely not.
Worried Castle Owner
The Faringdon Arts Festival team are starting to organise the 2006 Festival.
If you would like to take part in organising the Festival, meet new people and become active within the community please contact Julie Farmer on 0845 859 1720 or email julie.farmer@lineone.net.
The festival will take part over the weekend of 7 to 9 July 2006.
All welcome.
FAP will be holding an Open Meeting on THURSDAY 23rd FEBRUARY 2006 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm in the Corn Exchange, Faringdon
The meeting is open to all who live or work in Faringdon and the surrounding villages.
If you would like to shape the future of Faringdon and the Villages please come along and have your say.
Julie Farmer, FAP coordinator
It would be easy to say "told you so" but I'm going to anyway!
Part of my vociferous campaign against the GFA/4905/5-X 18 Coxwell Road development proposal was that it set a dangerous precedent to allow a perfectly habitable 30 year old house to be demolished to access to the site! ....and hey ho!...here we go!
Readers might not be aware that anyone can put in a planning application to demolish any property whether they own it or not.
There is a rumour that Faringdon is to be demolished to make way for the construction of a completely new town!
The struggle continues!
David Reynolds
Ed: See taplanaps.htm
The owners of 26 Coxwell Road have accepted that their neighbour’s development at 18 Coxwell Road will probably go ahead and have decided to jump on the band wagon.
And who can blame them ?
The idea is to demolish their home and replace it with 12 houses and a block of garages
Who’s next ?
HGM
I am confined to an electric wheelchair and when leaving home I have two alternatives. Either I use the pavements which tend to veer you to the gutter every time you reach the often steep approach to houses. Or I use the road itself which is very bumpy due to the very many projecting repairs that have been made.
I invariably use the highway even though this entails a risk from those motorists who often don't exercise enough care when overtaking.
Kind Regards
Hector
Ed Reminds me when I saw a surveyor type person looking /assessing the pavement in Marlborough St last year. When he told me this is a legal requirement, (of the County)I said Oh great - when might they be improved. Oh no it's only the assessment that is required, not doing anything about it!!
I would like to say how wonderful and appreciated the new flattened pathway up to the Folly Tower is now.
It makes a really difference, especially for those with children's pushchairs to contend with!
Laura Bishop
Meeting notes
FTC precept 05/06 was £222798 less £7500 from reserves which reduced it to £215298. Precept 06/07 £216312- no moneys from reserves used- less than .5% increase
End of year reserves predicted for 05/06 £55776 (to include £42k earmarked reserves) For 06/07 the end of year estimate is £37798, to include £20200 earmarked reserves. The auditors recommend no less than £54k in reserve.
Office and establishment
£144769 budgeted, plus £2k for replacement computers
This budget covers office expenses, staff salaries, and £27k grants for awarding to local organisations
FTC now employs 5.3 fte (including TI 1.3fte), and has a staff compliment of around 10 people.
Community and Tourist Information is budgeted to cost £19k which includes £1k for a panic alarm, as staff are there alone sometimes. Includes 1.3 fte No information was given about numbers of visitors- local or otherwise, accommodation booked, peak times. Councillor Hughes asked if there was to be an assessment of the TI business this year- to continue it, change it etc. After much talk/prevarication about how valued it is Cncllr Leniec finally said that no review was planned.
Planning and Highways
4k budgeted, which represents 50% of the cost of 2 bus stops - the rest paid by county or Bus company(can't remember who) 2 have/are being erected at the Health Centre end of Park Road. 06/07 there will be 2 at the Highworth road end of Coxwell Road. Bus shelters are usually put where there are currently bus stops - though this might not always be possible. No planning permission is needed, only agreement from the County Highways division
Pump House
The revenue budget showed £11650 estimated costs (heating, cleaning, maintenance, waste etc) less estimated income of £4500. The Direct Council Expenditure budget is mostly Pump House expenditure - £17382, the loan repayment (£150k loan increased to £170k 05/06) and £5000 architect's and professional fees - not sure why they're there when there is no money budgeted to do anything else to the Pump House in 06/07. Cncllr Leniec said fees may be removed in future years.
Staff for the Pump House include part of a venues manager (a nearly full time post to cover Old Town Hall and Corn Exchange), and part of a full time caretaker. Cost of these were not shown separately but I guess altogether must be at least £30k, so the Pump House share could be £10-£15k.
There is also £6000 insurance included in the Office and Establishment budget, most of which is for the Pump House
So altogether the Pump House will cost us about £39k - £44k in 06/07. Of course if it is used extensively, this figure will reduce as the income increases.
There is no money budgeted for an internal disabled lift, or repairs to the club house and theatre. It is hoped that money will be provided through a 106 agreement IF the housing development between Park road and Stanford Road goes ahead (apparently we should know in Feb)
Corn Exchange
Budgeted to make a profit of nearly £3k in 06/07- but remember this excludes any salaries - venue manager/care taker? And it excludes the £5k per annum the terms of the lease require to be put aside for major repairs. There have been complaints of noise, so the committee is looking into ways that the hall can be soundproofed - not straight forward as it is a listed building.
The committee will be discussing improvements with the leaseholders - VWHDC - disabled loos, improvement of loos, and we were told, a long list of other things
Recreation and Open spaces
Net expenditure £15611- after allotments rents of £464 - includes maintenance equipment, vandalism costs, All saints churchyard maintenance £10k capital has been budgeted for Willes Close and Skate Park- but Cncllr Evans indicated that this is for 2 separate projects - development of Willes Close and, to support the skate park project. It does not mean that the skate park will be in Willes Close.
VWHDC cash office
This was not discussed at the meeting, but it was mentioned afterwards that VWHDC are possibly going to close the office in Faringdon.
Gene Webb
The Joy of Talking Points - 23/1/06
I have only just discovered News and Views. What joy! The ideal place to air in public my ignorance and prejudices!! Especial congratulations to the Editors for being prepared to allow the publishing of Politically Incorrect views.
(Coming up Prejudice number 1)Democracy has more to fear from Censors than from free speech. I refer of course to Adrian's and the closed mind old codger in the Bus Queue views on immigrants.The fact that the National Health Service would have completly collapsed without them together with transport and a host of other services is much more likely to affect the opinion of the public than the views of two odd individuals.
The letter from sisters Ali and Tess was of great interest, but I fear Squadron Leader J.Thomas was pulling their legs. I have it on the good authority of my old friend Rear Admiral Richard Head, that in conditions of low cloud it would indeed be a folly for Brize Norton to expect protection from the magic lights on top of Lord Berner's magnificent erection, and under such conditions the aircraft would have to rely on the new fangled Global Satelite Positioning. I fear that without the subsidy from the Powers that Be the lights will all too soon be extinguished.
I called the lights magic because they are. Has anyone else noticed that they appear at sundown quite unaided by human hand and equally mysteriously have gone without trace by sunrise. At night there they are, suspended well above the towers eight minarets presumably from a post of some sort but by day there is no post to be seen. Is Mr Peter White the proud possessor of a sky hook from which he suspends them? In any event he is to be congratulated and thanked.
Congratulations too to Ali and Tess for choosing such a great man for their great Grandpa. He was a prolific inventor and the incandecent electric light bulb was only one of his many strokes of genius, but would they please tell us which, where, and what is this other well illuminated edifice?
Roger Young
The Faringdon Artistic Skating Club and clubs around the area have been skating at the Towns Leisure Centre for the past 15 years.The centre has one of the best skating surfaces in the south of England and skaters from all over the country love to skate in Faringdon.
For 3 years in the 1990's the British Mini/Minor and Cadet Championships were held at Faringdon. Unfortunately over the past 18 months Faringdon Skaters have been asking for the Leisure centre to sweep the floor on a daily basis in order for them to have clean condition during their training sessions.
The club skates on a Tuesday from 5pm to 6pm and the floor is swept. However on Saturdays the condition of the floorfalls below an acceptable standard resulting in members having to sweep the floor prior to use virtually every week.
After complaining to management on Saturday 14th Jan our visits on the following Tuesday/Thursday/ and saturday the floor was in no better condition,as viewed by the Town Mayor,but also to find that the V Mop found broken on Tuesday 17th was still not fixed by Saturday 21st making it difficult for the cleaner to use.
The Duty manager arranged the repair.
Faringdon Skaters pay the Leisure centre approx £1,252.26 aevery 13 weeks,this is without any extra time that is booked on Friday and Sunday for private tuition. We would just like 14 minutes a day spent on sweeping the floor 7 minutes in a morning and 7 minutes at night and washed every 2 weeks. With this level of cleaning the floor would be acceptable.
On the 4th Feb our skates have very a very important test day in order for them to enter the British Chanpionships ,and be able to skate on the International Circuit. What an honour for Faringdon to have 4 skaters,we have 3 more standing in the wings.To have a clean floor would be great.
The Swimming Pool staff and Fitness room staff should be commended for their level of cleanliness. The dry side of our Leisure Centre leaves a lot to be desired.
Visits to Wantage and Abingdon Leisure Centre's are immaculate.
What is happening to Faringdon.
If you have any comments with regards to our Leisure Centre and it's Cleanliness please make it known.
Email me at deeengland2@aol.com full confidentiality.
Dee England
I went to the opening of the Pump House last evening.- even though in the past I have been highly critical of the amount of money it was costing us.
However that aside, the interior of the building appears to have been done beautifully. The staircase is wonderful and the jubilee room on the first floor is especially lovely with it's views over the Market Place. The 4 rooms on the top floor are each a good size.- I'm not sure whether these will become more meeting rooms, or perhaps business office space.
Until sometime in the 60s it was The Insititute and Services Club. In the 70s the then Town Council agreed a no rent, repairing lease with Lord Faringdon. At that time the building was in a very poor state of repair, so the town funded repairs and refurbishment, I'm told to the tune of about £60k (equivalent to £500k ish now??). and it became the Community Centre
Last night it was mentioned that the recent costs have been £400k- I suspect just for repairs and refurbishment and not including fees, solicitors, court costs etc, and of course not the many hours of unpaid effort of all the town councillors involved.
So isn't Lord Faringdon lucky?? Even though he has not had any rent for the building since the 1970s, we have funded the maintenance and repair of the building since then - and must continue to do so for another 30 or so years.
Horrendous costs, and there are more to come in dealing with the room and theatre at the rear of the building, to say nothing of what it might cost to maintain a nearly 200 year old building for the next 30 years.
I guess we're stuck with this - so all we can do is make as much use of it as we can and enjoy it - the rooms are lovely
Gene Webb
MONDAY 23rd JANUARY 2006 at 7.30 p.m. The Pump House, 5 Market Place, Faringdon
This is an opportunity to hear how FTC have spent the budget (which made us the highest Council Tax payers in the Vale) and what their plans are for 06/07.
There's usually an opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions
The Town Council would like to invite everyone to a tour of the building, and to see the facilities which are now on offer, between 10.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. on Saturday 21st January 2006.
The Pump House is at 5 Market Place, Faringdon.
Dear All
I thought I would share our good news. Last week my son Edward got his bike back.
You may remember that it was stolen from outside dawns barbers shop. It was found and the police went to retrieve it and we (especially Edward ) are very happy.
Thank you to anyone who kept their eyes open.
Mandy James
Well done Joe !
Name supplied
I have been browsing through Talking Points and i notice a lot of comments have been made on the christmas lights to which i must agree are quite impressive.
Why is it that £7000 pound can be spent at christmas to light up the streets yet in the corn exchange the lighting is some what diabolicle to any artists performing on stage.
Has faringdon not yet heard of spotlights- they do help to create an atmosphere and highlight any artist that is performing. And as for that so called decibell monitor i'm surprised any acts perform in there at all.
Come on faringdon bring it up to date it is the year 2006.
Name supplied
My son Joe Thurston aged 11 from Faringdon had his head shaved at the weekend in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust. He has raised £400 so far.
A bit of background info on the charity: 6 teenagers every day in the UK are diagnosed with cancer and are more often than not treated in inappropriate facilities alongside very young children or old people.
What TCT does is provide specialist teenage units in NHS hospitals so that this can change. We currently have 7 units across the UK but we need 20 so that every teenager in the UK has access to one. To find out more please visit www.teenagecancertrust.org or call 02073871000
If people would like to donate they can make cheques made payable to Teenage Cancer Trust (and convert any cash into a cheque) and send to:Teenage Cancer Trust 38 Warren Street London W1T 6AE - with a note to say they are supporting Joe! Thanks
Sally Thurston
We don't normally put photos in here - but just this once we thought we'd make an exception - ed.
Folly Lights - 16/1/06
I did not mean to disparage the sterling efforts of Peter White with my missive, he is to be congratulated for the skilled manner in which he explored the decorative nature of sodium lighting festoonments.
I am wondering however if the rash of UFO sightings around town lately have anything to do with Faringdon resembling some curious alien landing strip
Daniel Worth
At least you're thinking!
It would be very egotistical of the human race to think we are the only sentient beings in the cosmos considering how many stars there are out there.
As to god, well we all have our own opinions and the existance of aliens wouldn't necessarily preclude one.
The elderly gentleman seems to relate aliens to E.T.'s and to people from other countries. We have had immigrants to this country all through the centuries and although many cause trouble most of them come to work and make a new life for themselves.
On the other hand, many people emigrate from this country to make their lives in another one.
I think people forget to change the default to release their names (or they're shy). Personally, I've just left it in default, but I'll change it this time.
Jane Boulton
For what it's worth I liked the Christmas lights and more importantly my 2 and 4 year old children loved them!
It was slightly disappointing that half of them went out on Christmas Eve and perhaps the Town Council would be entitled to claim some of the £7000 back as a result.
I am personally more than happy for my pound to be spent illuminating Faringdon at Christmas as I think it brings warmth, festivity and a pride in the town to many (clearly not all!) Faringdon residents. I am sure that if the Town Council decided not to spend money on lights at Christmas this site would be inundated with far more negative comments than positive!
The Folly Tower looks great and I look forward to seeing what innovative ideas Peter White comes up with each year (though I agree that we should have a 'Bring back the Beacon campaign!').
I also think that the trees in the town centre looked fantastic floodlit and wonder whether this should be a permanent feature! Thanks to all those who contributed to the assorted displays - I'm looking forward to next Christmas already (?!!)
On another note, Talking Points has been great reading this month, particularly the rat related comments, long may it continue!
Name supplied
Name supplied's (why do they hide?)
Comments on Mel Taylor's description of the Folly Tower lights seems to have missed the point! No one is knocking Peter's efforts. Indeed his brilliant Millenium beacon has slipped into Faringdon legend.
The real issue, if the figure is correct, is what exactly cost £7,000 and perhaps more importantly who paid for it!
Does anyone out there have the answers?
David Reynolds
Ed: HGM below explains - apologies - I was a bit late in publishing it, and another thankyou to Peter White- his tradition of lighting up the Folly tower adds such a lot - I'm hoping he'll do something similar to the millenium beacon sometime - maybe 2010??
As I understand it Pete White provides the light on the Tower and it doesn’t cost us anything. As such it is fantastic value for money and Thank you Pete White. Individual houses have also been amazing this year.
The Rotary Club organises the Switching-on of the lights and makes a substantial contribution to the cost. So, Thank you Rotary Club.
The Town Council, out of our Council Tax, pay for the rest and it works out at about £1 for every man, woman and child in Faringdon.
When the lights were switched on it looked as if we had good value for our money and the FTC should be thanked for arranging what looked like being a splendid display. Unfortunately the lights provided were not up to the standard expected. For most of the holiday period only 25% of them were working. Some discussion is still going on, as a bill has been submitted for two emergency call outs.
Unlike some towns the Faringdon traders make no direct contribution but most do make a great effort towards the ‘illuminations’ though not all have the same idea about what is appropriate. Davis DIY gave us a taste of what traditional decorations should be about while Budgens provided a taste of the minimalist approach which featured hardly any decorations and unlit trees.
I know which I preferred and it wasn’t the unlit trees.
It looks as if this website may be in for a lively year....Splendid
Harry G Mitchell
Ed: Thanks for the clarification - my note about the £7k was not specific enough.
Does anyone know if Faringdon could be powered by its own wind farm?
Name supplied
I was very dismayed to read the letter from the person complaining that the light display on The Folly made it look like a mobile phone mast. I think you should apologise for such crass comments.
It is my understanding that Peter White who does the lights on the Folly every year does so off his own bat. He should be applauded for providing such a unique Christmas lighting display and should not be subjected to mean spirited comments such as yours.
I, and I am sure i speak for many others who would be saddened, and Faringdon would be the poorer, if Peter were to decide not to put in all this effort due to thankless people like you - shame on you!!!!
name supplied
You asked to know what the incident was.
Well let me tell you I was speaking to an old man the the bus top in the town centre and I had a picture of an alien on my t shirt, he said to me...
"Oh you believe in them do you ?" and I explained ,
" Scientifically, yes". He looked at me like I was an idiot , he started to tell me he believes in God and that he goes to church and all of this nonsense, finally I said to him ..
"I think it is closed minded to not believe in this kind of thing" , he looked at me disgusted and then said ..
"The only bloody problem with aliens is all of these immigrants coming taking our money we have worked for", I must admit i agreed with him. When I told him I thought it was the fault of older generations he simply implied that I had no respect.
I think he had no respect. This led to me thinking further about this subject.
Adrian Mold
One is so pleased to read that there is someone else in Faringdon who, like me, feels proud and warm at the sight of such a magnificently upright edifice, especially when bathed in constant light. Nevertheless, the current lighting, I believe, lends a certain exoticism.
Squadron Leader Jon Thomas of the RAF has reliably informed me that the lighting has little to do with this fantasy but is in fact a safety measure to ensure that all planes especially those on the newly routed flight path from Heathrow, fly directly over Faringdon, thus avoiding Brize Norton and Fairford. So it looks likely that this lighting may well be a permanent fixture.
In addition, I gather that the Christmas lights were heavily subsidised by BAA , or so I heard both in The Folly pub and at the WI Christmas market.
Ali and Tess, the great grand daughters of Thomas Eddison (creator of another well lit edifice)
I'm not sure how old people have to be in your estimation to be classed as old. However, as I shall be in receipt of my own pension next year ( having worked all my life for it) I may possibly be in your category. I already receive a widows pension, worked and paid for by my recently deceased husband.
In my life I have met a lot of people of all ages and all classes and in my experience they come in all personalities whatever their ages.
I'd love to know what incident in particular started this rant.
Looks as if this site is getting more notice. I have pointed several friends to it who weren't aware of its existence.
Name supplied
Ed: Thankyou for spreading the word - the more people who visit and contribute, the better the site will be
I thought the lights were disappointing. £7k????? The red one made the tower look like a mobile phone mast. Bizarre idea at best.
Someone passing on the road would have no clue why a changing light colour seemingly hovering in mid area would indicate anything at all, let alone our beautiful tower.
When we first moved here, the tower was lit that christmas by a bright light which illuminated the tower for miles around. It made me feel proud and warm when driving home.
How has it cost seven grand?
Mel Taylor
What a great start to the letters page, rats, cooking rats, eating rats, talking rats, stroppy teenagers, grumpy wrinkleys, ok, a slighty boring parking matter, but as my old mate Elton once said, " we'll be fighting our parents out in the street to find who's right and who's wrong" wahoo, bring on the bitch fest!!!!.
Oh by the way, I gave my child some rat to eat.....apparently, it tastes like chicken...
Name supplied
For those who thought they were good - and those who didn't - I've heard they cost about £7000
Gene Webb
Dear Adrian
I was pleasantly surprised at the restrained tone of your reply and you make it clear that you really do seem to care about the mess this country is in at the moment.
I have to plead guilty, on behalf of my generation, to allowing this situation to arise but let me explain why it came about. This will sound patronising and I can’t help that but it doesn’t make it untrue.
The answer is very simple.... In the good old days we felt we could trust our leaders to do their best for the whole country not just for their own selfish concerns. Now we know they have feet of clay and every day we get further proof that many of them couldn’t run a drunken party in a brewery but it took us a long time to realise it and when we did it was too late.
Your generation is stuck with the mess we made and I’m afraid you have to sort it. (That’s the nearest you will get to an apology )
I’m keeping this short because I don’t want to force your reply off the bottom of the webpage.
GG
Well thankyou for your reply, it was the kind of patronising response I am accustomed to.
As for voting, well I believe the past generations have damaged our political system so much that it is beyond repair and full of corruption.
Your generations voted these people in, and look what you left for us..... dog eat dog, global warming, an unfair benefits system that pays young ladys to have children.
thankyou so much !
name supplied
Some of you might be interested in this web page, with recipes for cooking rats and mice http://bertc.com/cooking_rats.htm
Good eating!
H Taylor, joint ed. FO
Rat recipe of 6/1/06: Is that the boned or unboned weight of rat? Would hate to get it wrong!
Name Supplied
Dear Adrian
Your tirade against Old People was a dead give away ..I guessed immediately who you were but I hope you got the permission of an appropriate adult before you used the Internet.
In a few years time, when you have overcome the problems of puberty and your acne has gone you will probably feel embarrassed that you wrote such juvenile drivel but don’t let that put you off. Voltaire (admittedly now long dead and a Frenchman) was a keen defender of anyone writing anything so don’t be discouraged.
I am one of those Old People you talk about. My grand-daughter calls me GG which stands for Grumpy Grandpa and she gave me that name on her 16th Birthday when I told her that from now on she could do anything she wanted ...as long as she imagined that I was watching her.
I do have a pension, in fact I have two. I got one for paying into a government scheme for all my working life and the other for being in the Forces for 30 years.
You are right to realise that you will not be as fortunate as me as things are at the moment so when you are old enough to vote try to get a government which will alter things for you..
At the moment you’re between a Rock and a Hard Place when it comes to choice but things must improve by the time you are old enough if only because they can’t get any worse.
I won’t comment on your other views because I don’t want to be too critical but I feel I should point out that you are guilty of doing what you accuse me of doing... Judging and complaining...
But don’t let that stop you !
GG
I would just like to say that I parked my rat in London Street for 10 minutes and when I returned it was delicious.
John Dalymple
Corn Exchange, 8- 11
6 week beginner course starts 10/1/06
Plus Intermediate lesson during the evening, plus freestyle dancing
No need to bring a partner
www.jiveplus.com
I am absolutely sick of the attitude of old people in this town. They do not appreciate that we all work hard for them . We wont have any pensions when we are their age. The way they treat young people is a disgrace, they always complain, they always judge us. I for one am sick of it. I try to talk to old people at bus stops and they look at me like I am going to mug them, what a joke !
name supplied
Westmill Wind Farm Co-operative Ltd. is seeking to raise £3.75 million to build the first community owned wind farm in southern England on the Oxfordshire/ Wiltshire border.
For more information visit www.westmill.coop . To request the prospectus phone 0870 234 2002.
Adam Twine
The yellow non emergency telephones outside Faringdon Police Station are not working.
When the receiver is lifted you obtain an automated message imforming you the telephone number has changed.
You have no way of dialing the new number.
I have reported this to Thames Valley Police to be rectified.
The non emergency number displayed on the police station door is correct (0845 8 505 505)
David Poultney
We have, on several occasions over the last 10 years, raised the subject of parking on Gloucester Street with the Council's Traffic Committee through their questionnaires.
We may have a voice, but it doesn't seem that it's listened to.
I agree that we shouldn't have to rely on the discretionary powers of the police to sort our parking problems, but it the absence of any changes to the road markings it seems to be all we can hope for.
Ifor Phillips
you really should take your coffee decafinated, calm down dear, think of all those starving children and your roll in keeping humanity going, and I now realize why you always chew through power cables, it is of course to show us the error of our ways, wastfully leaving lights on all over the place, of course by turning them off, a new BMW could be purchased to carry the fact finding junket personel who come back to tell us " how terible it all was,and how it was good to get back to the air conditioned hotel",
no, I take my hat off to you Tart rat, you and your kind should be treated with much more respect ( that recipe does sound good though) and of course, should we deplete the rat population, as we do with everything else, there is an abundance of dog,(and of course, CAT!!) recipes anyone???
name supplied
I see the Faringdon Tourist board is out in force again, trying to deny that we Faringdonians eat rat. What poppycock!
Faringdon has long been known throughout the region as the rat cuisine capital of Oxfordshire, ever since the great potato famine of 1723, when the people of this town were sustained for 5 months on a diet of boiled rat and nettle soup.
It's one of the worst-kept secrets in Faringdon - If you're new to the area, and want to try something uniquely Faringdonian - try asking at the Market Restaurant, Ming's Takeaway or (of course) The Rat's Castle for their late night special menu! In these days of identikit fast-food chicken, kebab and burger takeaways, places like Faringdon should be trying to ADVERTISE their particular cuisine, not hiding it under the carpet!
As a Faringdonian born and bred, I am proud to say that every St George's day for 25 years now, I've cooked myself and my family our traditional meal of Rat, Apple and Sweet Potato Casserole! It's tasty, nutritious, cheap and much better than anything you'll get out of that dreadful Farmer's Market. In fact, for the curious, I'll share the recipe:
* 12 to 16 oz of sliced rat
* 3 medium sweet potatoes, about 1 1/2 pounds, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
* 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
* 4 apples, quartered
* 3/4 cup hot water
PREPARATION:
Brown the rat on both sides; place in baking dish. Spread apples and sliced sweet potatoes over rat then sprinkle with brown sugar. Add hot water. Cover and bake at 350° for about 60 minutes.Baste occasionally while cooking. Remove cover last 15 minutes.
name supplied
Thanks for that - I'll certainly try it - ed, FO.
Incidentally, whenever I've asked about the late night specials, I've been told that they weren't that kind of establishment and if I continued to pester them they'd have to call the police.
I would suggest that if there are concerns about the appropriateness or otherwise of parking restrictions on Gloucester Street or in other areas of Faringdon they are raised by our council representative on the traffic committee - I can assure you that you do have a voice; my experience has certainly been a positive one.
With all respect to the police and to our community support officers they are not paid to intellectualise the law but to enforce it.
I agree with you that the markings are outdated but I'm not sure that relying on the discretionary powers of the police is necessarily the answer.
name supplied
How dare you! I am the Tart Rat, a sour and fearless individual who deeply resents the implication that I may be captured and ingested by some mincing feline footler, let alone by feral infants. Time was, I would have eaten them.
For goodness' sake, can't a fellow enjoy the sewers in peace with his extended family without being the butt of cruel and insensitive correspondence?
Yours, etc.
Tart Rat.
Yum yum - Now you're talking!
I think I have a recipe
Folly Cat
Faringdon & District Rotary Club will be pleased to receive your Christmas Trees for recycling on Saturday 7 January at Faringdon Market Place and High Street Shrivenham from 9.30am to 3.30pm. Donations will be taken for charity.
Mike Bell
So, because Faringdon has a few Christmas lights, that somehow equates into "children on the streets eating rats", I assume this person means the third world as I have not witnessed any of this in Faringdon ( unless they mean eating AT Rats Castle).
Tell me, why is it that some people feel the need to be the conscience of everyone, does this pious act make them feel superior to us lesser mortals, I ask this because everyone I know ,including myself have spent many years quietly giving hard earned cash to every charity going, (a good friend of mine returned from Uganda just before Christmas after spending three weeks helping the Baptist Union over there).
Do these people really think turning a few sixty watt bulbs off is going to make an 'appence of difference to people dying of starvation, no, it won't,(hold my reigns a moment, I feel like getting on this very high horse) and it seems the more money we send to stop the dying children, the bigger the BMW car collection becomes for the leaders.
People have been dying ever since I was a boy in the sixties sending milk bottle tops off to Blue Peter to buy tractors,so I for one will never feel guilty for looking at a few lights, and turning them off won't change a thing, if it did of course there would be a thousands of charity workers on the dole, and very,very large office blocks in Oxford going empty, do you really want to be responsible for THAT disaster????
name supplied
I was wondering if the cars mentioned were leaving or entering town. I have found it very difficult to see the lights at this time of the year on a sunny day as the sun is so low in the sky it is behind the lights and shines in your eyes. Although that is no excuse for not taking due care and attention.
name supplied
I see that in an earlier post the police have been praised for their new enthusiasm for issuing parking tickets.
I agree that parking on double yellow lines, particularly in London Street, was out of hand but enforcement elsewhere is a complete nonsense. The issuing of parking tickets in parts Gloucester Street surely qualifies for a "Jobsworth Award".
There is a yellow line on the RHS of Gloucester Street dating from the time when Langford House was a business premises. The continued existence of this yellow line serves no useful purpose whatsoever and the issuing of parking tickets for parking here is quite ridiculous.
We used to have a local policeman who recognised this and acted accordingly. That's community policing.
Ifor Phillips
I also have had many near misses at these lights. I cross every day on my way too and from work.
You really have to be very carefull as the cars coming from the town are going often too fast to stop!
Just because the lights are red you can't assume it is safe to cross!
Maybe speed cameras are the answer (now there's a thought!) Or more police speed checks.
name supplied
I was walking into town just before Christmas and needed to cross Park Road at the pedestrian lights near Portwell Press. I pushed the button and waited for the lights to turn red.
I was just about to cross when a car went straight through the red light. Then, unbelievably, a second car went straight through the red light.
My son was in his pushchair and if I hadn't had my wits about me, both my son and I would of been hit.
Needless to say both cars were travelling well above the speed limit.
I was really shaken and wanted to warn others to be careful when crossing this busy road
Name supplied
I admit that I am not a large fan of the christmas lighting arrangements, it offends my sentiments to have such an extravagant display when many tiny children are living on the streets and in some cases eating rats.
Name supplied
I've just started a blog (that is, an online diary) about my writing and the life of Faringdon, including, on a regular basis, some fiction about our town.
The aim is, as always, to put Faringdon on the map.
It's at: http://paulcornell.blogspot.com/
Paul Cornell
Ed: Thanks Paul - this will add another dimension to Faringdon goings on