| faringdon-online community web site home |
talking points |
| september 2006 |
| New Youth Centre.... Town Council response... -
30/09/06 I am bewildered by the Town Council’s response to the news that the County Council is planning to turn the Cromwell Centre on Highworth Road into a youth centre. “Dismay” and “disappointment”! Surely it is in the interest of every resident of Faringdon to see that young people finally have a safe place to meet and welcome the County Council’s increased investment in the town. After running a few evening sessions with young people in the Old Town Hall centre earlier this year I realised what a disaster it would be to have a youth venue in the town centre. I think the recent incidents around All Saint’s Church would bear witness to this. The Cromwell Centre is in an excellent state of repair and, if planning consent is gained to change the use of the building, could be open in 6 weeks. What is more, the County Council would meet the cost of any repairs and maintainence to the building. Come on Faringdon Town Council see the bigger picture. Allan O'Connor |
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| Disclosure -
30/09/06 If anyone wants a ticket for the final for disclosure please speak to one of the band members as they need as many people to go as possible because its done on votes thanks name supplied |
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| StreetScene- Report Street Problems
Online - 28/9/06 I've just discovered this. You can report any problem online -to do with anything on the list below. You need the postcode of the location you're reporting, or you can click on a map to pinpoint it exactly. Click on www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/StreetScene/DetailPage-9151.asp Pretty Good!! Gene Webb Abandoned Vehicles Animal Fouling Dead Animals Stray Animals Anti-Social Behaviour Bridges Dangerous Structures Flyposting Flytipping Grafitti Manholes Dangerous Pavements Obstructed Pavements Paving Stone Thefts Pot Holes Public Conveniences (Toilets) Road Gritting Flooding on Roads Obstructed Roads Vegetation on Roads Road Markings Road Signs Snow Clearance Spillage on Roads Street Cleaning Street Furniture Street Lights Litter Bins Traffic Lights Vandalism |
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| Are you over 45? -
26/9/06 Do you want to turn your life around? Have you thought of going into business? Then come along to "PRIME time for Business" Special Business Awareness Workshop at the Faringdon Enterprise Gateway next Tuesday 3rd October from 10 - 4 (free lunch provided) and find out how to make better use of your talents, get some motivation and find out more about yourself. This project receives funding from SEEDA. Places are limited so book now! Phone Jane Haynes, Gateway Co-ordinator on 0845 458 3080 |
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| Faringdon Arts Festival
2007- 26/9/06 7pm . Brunel House, Volunteer Way Those who care about the future of FARINGDON ARTS FESTIVAL are invited to a meeting to discuss involvement and activities in preparation for 2007. Contact Julie Farmer 0845 859 1720 |
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| Vote for Disclosure
-24/9/06 We need as many people to vote online for the bands playing in the botb in Nottingham in October(most votes for Disclosure of course!), as this will help a great deal to determining the winner. Disclosure have a great chance of winning and need your support to enable this. If you would like to help, then register your details (its easily done!) at: http://www.liquidisco.com/Under18s/Signup/014.asp then follow the instructions from the website. After accepting the confirmation email, log in with your new username and click on "click here to vote" under The Internet Vote category. You will have one vote per band and you will have the choice of three bands every 60 hours, you will see how much time you have left on the page to vote. Voting starts 29/9/06 For more info go to: http://www.liquidisco.com/Under18s/005.asp A BIG thankyou to everyone who takes part in the voting and to those who support Disclosure~ ....help them to go all the way!.... Sam French |
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| Local band winner - 120/9/06 Congratulations to our young local rock band 'Disclosure' for winning the area heat for the under eighteens at Abingdon and then going on to win the south west regional heat at Bristol. The final will take place at Nottingham on the 14th October against eleven other bands. A special thank you to Lyn Waugh for all her hard work in organising and managing the band also for the use of her soundproofed garage. We believe all the competing bands will be on www.liquidisco.com shortly and you will be able to vote on line. Good luck Disclosure. Rod and Sue French |
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| Missing Cat! -20/9/06 Left home just before summer break has not returned Tabby cat and answers to the name fluffy. Please return it if you find it to 3 marines drive. it will make 3 children very happy. Name Supplied |
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| WANTED for Charity-
19/9/06 Clothes, toys, books, videos, DVD, bric abrac, small furniture for a Jumble sale 4/11/06 in aid of Parkinsons Disease and riding for the disabled If you have anything to donate, Contact 01367 241753, 240130, 242117 |
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| New Reservoir - East Hanney - 14/9/06 Heard about the new reservoir planned for the East Hanney - Steventon road? See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/5343646.stm and http://www.thameswater.co.uk/UK/region/en_gb/content/news/news_001196.jsp This has all the plans http://www.thameswater.co.uk/UK/region/en_gb/content/Section_Homepages/Multi_Download_000684.jsp?SECT=Multi_Download_000684 including the location map http://www.thameswater.co.uk/en_gb/Downloads/Office_Documents/UTMRD_Concept_Plan.jpg Tim Koder Ed: Thanks. I had a quick look 'Thames said the site near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, would be the biggest built in the UK in 25 years, holding 150 billion litres of water. Note from Tourist Information office: We have a small but well researched book ‘ A brief History of the Abingdon Reservoir Area ‘ written by ‘ Vale Man ‘ Mr Spinage, I believe, for sale in the centre. In view of recent news it may be of interest to local people. |
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| Faringdon Folly paper - 14/9/06 I have copies of all ( I think all) the papers since it started - late 80s/early 90s?? Does anyone want them?? Can anyone suggest where they might be of use(polite suggestions please) Gene Webb |
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| Lets drink to a load of Scat! -14/9/06 Thank you to Alice Chenneour Randall, her of dipsomanic pretensions, for her suggestion that most of the recent contributions made to talking points can be loosely related to excrement. Of course you are very welcome to your opinion, but at least some of the posts have raised a grin amongst fervent readers and are, in my humble opinion, considerably more entertaining than the celebration of research into a long defunct local booze shop! That's no disrespect to Angela of course, for whom, I'm sure, the long cold winter months must just fly by . Here's to excrement free future postings. Cheers, down yer leg. The Mad Hatter Ed: Definition:Scatology - "Preoccupation with obscenity, esp. with references to excrement"- thanks to contributor. Not a word I can make use of I feel. |
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| Coffee House - 13/9/06 It's the husband of the wife here....... If I may I would kindly refer back to my original talking point posted 29-Aug-06 as titled by Ed as "Charging to use the Loo". It invited comments to help me "determine if I was out of touch with the current ways of the world". On balance from the responses it has generated I obliviously am. It was never about whether the £1.50 was high or whether it was a justified policy to combat people walking in off the street as "non-customers" to use the facilities. Neither was it anything to do with the general quality of the service or the price of the goods, my wife and I have gladly used the Coffee House for years. It was simply to ask whether it was acceptable (at least in our local community) to postdate a punitive charge to a regular, well known but disabled customer to use the loo. Not a regular event or even a regular intent - it was the first and only time. Made even more difficult to understand when that person is by the Coffee Houses' own description an actual friend, which indeed we were. Many thanks to all those who made the effort to state their views and trust the matter has now naturally exhausted itself. Name Supplied Ed: In casual conversation I came across a number of people who felt that the charge was high, and that applying it retrospectively was not a good move- they didn't write to the website. But enough/no more- from anyone!! |
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| Additional houses - Planning
Gain - 13/9/06 I went to a meeting of the Town Council's Planning and Highways committee last evening, chaired by Alan Hickmore. Following the usual domestic planning applications dealt with by this committee, there followed a discussion about the hoped for Planning Gain from the developers. Apparently Bloor Homes, the developers, have met with the Town Council about the benefits wanted by the town. So here is my understanding of what FTC is asking for. (Note - asking for - we may not get it all) 1 Location and foundation for Skate Park in the Country Park, Jespers Hill, plus maintenance for 5 years 2 New Cricket ground and pavilion - to be ready to use as soon as the existing becomes unavailable. ie before house build 3 Contribution to Community Bus, on the basis of providing transport to encourage new residents and people employed on the new Industrial Estate to come into the town centre. £30k/£40k was mentioned 4 Contribution to a performance venue - this could be to update and soundproof the Corn Exchange, or towards a new theatre at the Community College 5 Contribution to a Youth Venue. FTC were thinking of using this to update the room at the rear of the Pump House for it to become a Youth Club. However a member of the public indicated that the County Youth worker for Faringdon had secured the use of the Cromwell Centre on the HIghworth Road for a use as a youth club. It was agreed that 2 Youth clubs were not a good idea. So the contribution made by Bloor Homes will be used for the Youth club, wherever it turns out to be located. It was mentioned that Lord Faringdon has offered £5k towards creating a Youth Centre in the Pump Rooms - I'm not sure if this is on offer for any Youth Club. 5 £15k is requested towards a professional parking study to cover the town centre, schools and the Leisure Centre 6 Disabled access for the Pump Rooms, plus a contribution to refurbishing room at rear as recreational space, plus improved toilets. £20k to be asked for There are other facilities that Bloor Homes will be asked to provide - see The adopted SPG Faringdon (pdf, 112kb) Other points Country Park will triple in size- and will include a measured jogging track 18 % increase in population - 1000+ people? Bloor Homes are to arrange an exhibition showing the plans for the new development - thought to be sometime in October 2006 FTC, VWHDC, Bloor homes are to meet at the end of this month to discuss the detail further Gene Webb |
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| At last- a new subject - 12/9/06 Thank goodness that Angela has stepped in with her request for info about Fergusons, the wine merchant; the scatalogical thread that has woven it's way through the thoughts of contributors to this on-line forum is threatening to drive me to drink. Bring back Fergusons - all is forgiven (and WH Smith and all those fine shopping institutions which we could lay claim to in Faringdon!!!!!!) Alice Chenneour Randall |
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| Fergusons, Faringdon -
12/9/06 I am a collector of out of print and second hand wine books. I have recently come across some old wine lists for the wine merchant Ferguson's whose head office was in Reading. I see from your site headed 'Businesses Old and New' that there was a Ferguson's wine shop in Market Place, Faringdon. (This was one of 12 regional shops) I would be grateful of any information you could give me in relation to this wine merchants - length of time in town etc as I am now interested in researching this wine merchant. Thank you angelamcmahon@waitrose.com |
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| Careers Event
-11/9/06 Faringdon Community College, in conjunction with the Faringdon Area Project are planning to hold a Careers Opportunity Week for our local youth. This event will take place throughout the week beginning on Monday 13th November to Friday 17th November. We are hoping to provide students with information about a variety of careers from a number of local businesses. We would like local employees to explain what qualifications and expectations businesses in their field may have with regard to potential employees. We are therefore looking for organisations that would be willing to participate in this event. Either present as a main exhibitor on Monday or lead a seminar on your companies speciality. T he Community College will be holding various events throughout the week that will provide students with skills such as CV writing, letters of application, where to look for a job, how to complete a job application form, interview techniques and career coaching. If you are interested in taking part of the careers fair would you be so kind and email Anna Marlow on anna.marlow@fap.org.uk or call Julie Farmer on 08458591720. Anna and I would like to thank you in advance for your help and support for this event. Julie Farmer |
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| Foster Home - for a dog!!
- 9/9/06 Would you like a sort of Foster Aunt for your dog?? I really miss having a dog around but don't yet want another one full time. I would be more than happy to provide some care and walks - occasionally - not on a regular basis So if your dog is friendly, gentle, biddable and you'd like to have some help now and again, do get in touch Gene Webb genewebb@nildram.co.uk |
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| Faringdon Arts Festival - 9/9/06 Those who care about the future of FARINGDON ARTS FESTIVAL are invited to a meeting to discuss involvement and activities in preparation for 2007. 7pm Wednesday 4 October. Brunel House, Volunteer Way. Contact Julie Farmer 0845 859 1720 |
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| Another Mad Hatter Vote -
8/9/06 Hey, Mad Hatter might get my vote too! Can't think why! David Reynolds |
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| Mad Hatter For Mayor -
8/9/07 Mad Hatter for Mayor! - you'd get my vote! Mel Taylor |
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| Coffee Shop - 7/9/06 in reply to the gentleman with the scathing remarks abouth the faringdion coffee hse. My husband and I have been patrons of TRACY AND Darrens COFFEE HOUSE for many years and the cleanliness and courtesy plus the excellent fare they produce is beyond compare, and had the man concerned asked about them having to charge non customers the use of their toilet facilities, and how the last non customer rewarded their kindness by stealing over £2000 and lots of personal property , he might begin to understand. How dare that customer to be disloyal to the wonderful establishment that faringdon is so fortunate to have. My husband and I have visited many coffee shops and by far the best anywhere is The faringdon Coffee Hse. They have both worked so hard in refurbishing it to the high class eaterie it has now become and faringdon town is certainly reaping the benefits by all the tourism that their establishment has generated. Instead of being so petty minded and critical, perhaps your reader would like to open his toilet facilites to the general public and clean up after them as Tracy and Darren have to. Theirs is not a public convenience and never has been. The Faringdon Coffee House with the wonderful owners of Tracy and Darren, should be supported and Faringdon is so lucky to have them and their unique english coffee house. My only comment to the gentleman who complained would be GET A LIFE! Mr and Mrs J O'Hara, Wroughton |
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| Never a dull moment -
6/9/06 Well! Coffee shops charging people with disabilities extortionate amounts of dosh to use their loo. Convivial junkies offering a warm Pharmaceutical welcome to prospective new residents in the public loo. The Coffee shop's garrulous response to outraged posting in the shape of an unassailable collection of grammatical errors and not a poem in sight! Missing cats? Presumably including the Folly one, or is it still licking its wounds from the last eruption of verse. Did I overhear, in our much-celebrated rubbish Supermarket, that the damaged sculpture in Folly park will shortly be replaced, at great expense, by a statue of David Reynolds? Will the next fifteen minute club feature Dalek Rap accompanied by a ten piece Reggae Bagpipe ensemble dressed as medieval knights? There's never a dull moment. or maybe the tea and cake served on that women's institute chutney 2006 weekend in Amsterdam hasn't worn off yet. The Mad Hatter |
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| Adult comic from Faringdon Man - 6/9/06 Just thought I'd share something I'm finding exciting. (And thanks to everyone who congratulated me on coming third in the Hugo Awards, it's so nice that so many people were interested.) I've just done a deal with Forbidden Planet International, the bigtime comic suppliers, to distribute the Marvel comic I've got coming out in November (it's called Wisdom, being the adventures of British intelligence officer Pete Wisdom against the supernatural), off a one-off website at a special price, the intention being to get people who don't normally buy comics to take a chance on something relatively inexpensive and easy to get. British readers only at the moment, but I'm looking for an American distributor to do the same thing. Please bear in mind that this isn't for kids. It's an 18+ rated comic, and while it's all very tasteful and mature, there are what they call 'adult situations' and some (serious) swearing. You can take a look at the offer on my blog page: http://paulcornell.blogspot.com/ I know, the older I get the more shameless I get! Paul Cornell |
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| Coffee Shop - 6/9/06 I really don't understand why the Coffee Shop is getting such bad press - just for charging NON-PAYING-CUSTOMERS to use their toilet facilities. Personally, if I was caught using a business for my 'business' I'd be embarrassed and certainly wouldn't tell the world about it !. I don't really see the fact that this lady often dined there as relevant and to offer to pay a charge would have been polite. Is it really any different to somebody hiring a skip..............and the neighbours filling it up with their rubbish ?!. As for the ridiculous comment (under - Consideration For Others) that cafes, pubs and restaurants should expect to clean toilets on their premises - of course they should, and do................but why should they clean up after people who aren't buying anything ?. Staff, cleaners etc....they do have to get paid you know !. The Coffee Shop isn't a charity. Name Supplied |
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| Faringdon Skater selected to skate for Great
Britain.- 6/9/06 If you have any Euros left from your holidays Please can you donate them to support Nathaniel in his dream. We need to raise £500 Thankyou Contact Dee England 07738173958 deeengland2@aol.com |
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| Faringdon Artistic Skater selected to skate
for Great Britain - 6/9/06 Nathaniel Williams travelled to Watford on saturday for the trials to skate for Great Britain. Nathaniel will travel to Paris on the 31st October for 5 days and skate in the Cup of Europe. We are asking for financial help to support this young man in his dream of representing his country.The event including travel,accommadation and clothing will cost £500. As Nathaniel is part of a one-parent family this amount of money is far beyond their means. Please help Nathaniel to achieve his goal and represent his country.T herefore,if you would like to offer part or whole of this amount please contact Dee England on 07738173958 or email deeengland2@aol.com |
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| Consideration for others -
6/9/06 I do feel that people with disabilities should be assisted and supported wherever possible in the same way that I would stand up for a senior citizen on a bus or a pregnant woman on a train. I apologise if this offends a small minority of people with disabilities but it won't change what I understand to be right. If the rest of you agree that what happened was fair then I'm saddened that a bit of reason, common sense and straightforward concern for fellow man are not virtues to be encouraged in Faringdon. I believe the coffee shop were wrong to charge so much I believe they were wrong to charge a regular customer on a one off visit, disabled or not I believe that cafes, pubs and restaurants should expect to clean toilets on their premises So shoot me. Mel Taylor |
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| Public Loos - 5/9/06 We are considering purchasing a property in Faringdon, during a break from viewing my wife went to use the public toilets behind Budgens, two young ladies sitting on the floor partaking of their drug of choice were very friendly and tried to make her welcome; my wife declined. The facilities were filthy anyway. Name supplied Ed: Contact waste.team@whitehorsedc.gov.uk to report problems |
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| Coffee House -
4/9/06 The people of faringdon should take a long hard look at themselves and see what they are doing... why has everyone decided to be rivals and mistreat the good points of this town?! The Faringdon Coffee House draws many tourists to this town from all over the world...as proved by their visitors book! They have provided a great service for so many people! Why is everyone now deciding to run them down? They have put many signs up to show that there is a charge for the toilet for people who are not customers on the day. They also go into detail about what these charges go towards (the cost to run a toilet, i.e. water, electricity) as this is becomes expensive due to the amount of customers who use it throughout the day, seven days a week! I think that £1.50 is a reasonable amount for them to charge as someone can easily become a customer for a lot cheaper, for example, a glass of fruit juice or a pot of tea. You wouldn't expect to walk into a pub or restaurant to use their toilets when there are public ones a mere 300 yards away, so why should a coffee shop be treated any differently?!?! People of Faringdon...sort yourselves out! Name supplied |
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| Angry of Marlborough -
3/9/06 Can I say how angry I am? I have spent my life having to explain to people I do not need their help! Why? Well you see, I have cerebral palsy. I get stared at a lot, but what is most annoying is being treated differently. I am just a normal person but with a physical disability. I have a wife, a job and my own home, But reading the comments from the gentleman who's wife has a cognitive disorder, I can't help thinking that perhaps her feeling are being left out! If she has been a long-standing customer, is she happy not to go back to the coffee shop, or is the husband stopping her from going to a place she seems to enjoy? It seems to me that perhaps she is being made to suffer for the sake of her husband's argument! It is annoying too that Mel Taylor thinks that a disabled person should have preferential treatment! I do not want people to feel sorry for me, or any disabled person, I just want to get on with my life without feeling mollycoddled. A message to the husband of the disabled lady- if you haven't done so, ask your wife what she wants to do and respect her wishes, she is a person after all!! Name supplied |
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| Public Loos - 4/9/06 I can understand why people would prefer to use the coffee house toilet, in fact any toilet other than the stinking dirty pit behind budgens. I cant recall one instance when I have taken my children in there when I wasn't confronted with some dirty persons doings, in the form of wee or worse on the seats. Are the gentle folk of Faringdon incapable of shooting straight. No wonder the coffee house are pee'd off (no pun intended), if they have to deal with similar conditions. Perhaps the real issue here is the state of the car parks loos. If they were clean, and in my experience, they are not, people would use them. Just a thought to add to the debate. Devils Advocate Ed: A few years ago I was told by VWHDC that these loos were inspected/cleaned many times a day, every day - it was hugely costly. Perhaps this is no longer happening |
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| 15 Minute Club (Sun Sept
03) - 4/9/06 Was that a 15 minute club or what.... From Rock to 9 Ukuleles to Bollywood to a Happy Birthday for Martin. What more do we want... As a lot of people have said. Last night must have been the best 15 minute club so far.. Name supplied |
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| Coffee House -
3/9/06 Oxford Dictionary Definitions: CUSTOMER . noun - A person who buys goods or services from a shop or business. TOILET . noun - A large bowl for urinating or defecating into, typically plumbed into a sewage system. Faringdon Coffee House IS infact a business, that provides beverages, refreshments and foods; They appreciate their customers and thus provide the additional facility of "Customer Toilets" which are clearly labelled as "Customer Toilets". They are kept in good functioning order and cost money to run and maintain, to use the facility whilst showing complete negligence to the clearly stated "Customer Toilet" signs is taking a liberty, and the "Customer toilet" policy is consistant throughout most other establishments. I dont think its the £1.50 charge that should be at debate, as that is a deterrent to the general public that are not customers of Faringdon Coffee House. Alternatively there are "Public Toilets" 100 yards or so down the road, which also cost money to maintain, and are funded by the council (Taxes!). Are you people that are against the toilet charge policy suggesting that Faringdon Coffee House, and other such establishments employ a similar strategy to the council and increase the prices on all products sold, as to fund the maintenence of the toilet; thus making everyone pay for the costs of the toilet maintenence. On a final note, i would like to say that the toilets are infact FREE if you are a Customer of Faringdon Coffee House when you decide to use the toilet. Bish Bosh |
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| Twinning - 03/09/06 Should Faringdon now be twinned with Clochemerle? name supplied |
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| Faringdon Area Project Community Cafe
- 3/9/06 Many people- around 300- visited the exhibition of old photographs in the Corn Exchange yesterday, 2nd. Wonderful photographs of Faringdon gathered from various sources such as English Heritage and Oxfordshire archives. Well done to Anna and Julie who put in all the hard work Wouldn't it be nice if the Town Council displayed such photos in Public places - the Old Town Hall, the Pump House?? Gene Webb |
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| Coffee Shop -
2/9/06 The last time i looked, the public toilets were in the car park behind Budgens! I have certainly never seen a sign indicating that they had moved to the Coffee Shop! I was incensed to read the completely unjustified complaints about the use of toilets in the coffee shop! What a cheek these people have to assume they have the right to use someone else's toilets just because they happen to be there. I have always struggled to like Faringdon, not least because of people like these complainants with a narrow minded, small town mentality who think the world owes them! But it is now slowly but surely becoming a good place to live in, thanks to people like Darren and Tracy who combine working extremely hard to earn a living with providing a great friendly and relaxed venue for all to enjoy. They contribute to the wonderful continental atmosphere that is emerging here. They run a food establishment, they are not here to provide toilet facilities for all and sundry. Would anyone assume they could just walk into The Nut tree, Presentation, Deacons or any other shop and demand to use their toilets just because they have been a customer at some point? I think not! Why should the coffee shop be any different? If the whingers are too lazy to walk to the car park to use the PUBLIC toilets, they will just have get by being a little damp! Trish Reynolds |
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| Coffee Shop -
2/9/06 You know, I've bought a house through Perry, Bishop and Chambers, a newspaper in Martins, jewellery in Deacons and a bow-tie at Cariad and never once thought this gives me the green light to use their toilets whenever I choose! PS. thank you for the words of praise from name supplied about the performance at the Portwell Bar. My wife is worried about me getting my head through the door! David Reynolds |
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| Portwell Bar Music -
1/9/06 Last Sunday at the Portwell Bar..... Fantastic, brilliant evening, throughly enjoyed the music ..And.... Dave Reynolds you' re great!!!!!! Name supplied |
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| Coffee Shop -
1/9/06 Coffee Shop I think that is an excellent idea to have a key for the toilets!... They actually do that in some places in Oxford. And while on the subject of the coffee shop I have found it takes a long time to get served at times........ I turned up one day in my lunch hour and waited half an hour to be served!!..(this was when seated outside in the warmer weather) Would it not be better to give your order and perhaps a table number at the counter before taking your seat? So to get your order quicker?.... Having said that, I think they both do a grand job!!... And I do love sitting out there on a summer's day. Such a continental feel!!... Name supplied |
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| More support - 1/9/06 I feel I have to agree with the Coffee Shop! It would seem that people think they are always owed something in life, indeed more than they have to pay for. If someone is a regular customer, does this mean they have bought into the business and are entitled to use the facilities when ever they choose? Perhaps a free cup of coffee could go on their menu for frequent customers? Surely a business has a right to charge for a 'service' if it is a non customer using it. I know how expensive toilet roll is in the supermarket, I daren't think how much a place that serves food must use! Name Supplied |
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| Support for the Coffee
Shop - 1/9/06 I would like to lend my support to the Coffee House - I have always found it to be a delightful and reasonably priced place to eat - and wee for that matter. As to the comments by one contributor about cleaning toilets coming with the territory - what a ridiculous statement - as you say they are running a coffee shop not a public toitet - and I believe I am right in thinking that by running a coffee shop they are obliged to provide toilet facilities for their customers not the community as a whole. If I used a toilet in a premises where I had not made a purchase (and lets face it who hasn't at some time) and if I was asked to pay I would consider it a fair cop and be somewhat embarrassed about my cheekiness - why should they clean up after people who are not paying customers! On a completely separate note, does anyone know who is responsible for clearing weeds on the pavement - if the ones outside the Infant School get any higher there is a real danger that the children may not be able to find their school next week!!!! Name supplied Ed: Weeds are usually the responsibility of the County. Have a look at http://www.faringdon.org/tareportproblems.htm. Probabaly worrth indicating there is a safety issue!! |
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| Coffee Shop - 1/9/06 If the number of people using your loo by just walking in off the street is as bad as you say, can I suggest that you have a key for the loo behind the counter so that people have to ask to use it. This happens in many places abroad and is fair to everybody. I'd like to add also that at least you have a loo that can be used !. I was with a friend and her toddler daughter some time ago in the other popular coffee shop nearby. We were inside (the weather wasn't good), coffees and danish naughties paid for and eaten, but when my friend asked if she could take her daughter to the loo she was told she couldn't. The loo is outside and it would have meant unlocking a door/gate or something. Anyway, we were too suprised to hang about and we had to make a quick dash to the Southampton St. toilets !. Name supplied |
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| Coffee Shop again -
1/9/06 Thanks for you're response Coffee House. Wow!! There is a lot of pent up anger there on a range of issues it seems. I'm not quite sure that I understand all of what you say and I don't wish to escalate the matter beyond it's own importance but: - It appears that the strategy you thought to adopt was to charge my wife for the use of the toilet 3 days after the event hoping that it would be seen by me to "encourage" a discussion. I guess the net ambition of the discussion you wanted was to stop my wife from using your facilities outside of paying for goods in the process. Your intent was then to return the charge. A grand scheme for dealing with a first offence. I'd ask you now to stand back from your paranoia and re-examine your methods because the result has been to lose a regular customer (and her husband), their direct and associated trade along with the friendship you considered you had. But at least you have discouraged one person from "walking in off the street" for a wee and of course gained £1.50. I'd also suggest that you might want to consider "customers" as people waiting to be served rather than only those you take money and make profit from. My wife has been a customer of the Coffee House for a very long time. She just didn't buy anything on the day. Name supplied |
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| Re Coffee Shop -
1/9/06 Sorry but having to clean up toilets on the premises comes with the territory of running a cafe, bar or pub and I know of no-one else locally who would charge someone they know as a regular customer, especially someone disabled. Adding the charge to a receipt, with or without VAT with the purpose of opening a discussion seems a bizarre method to enforce policy. We live in a small market town with a clutch of wonderful independant businesses, including the coffee shop, which we all want to succeed and prosper to enable the town to move forward and prosper as a whole. We are not prepared to put up with nonsensical unfair charges, distriminatory at worst, excessive at best just as we were not prepared to stand for the council closing the 15 Minute Club. I think a written apology and perhaps some flowers for the lady concerned would be in order. Mel Taylor |
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| Gravel Walk Traffic
Could be the lorry drivers' way of avoiding the Shrivenham by-pass road works on the A420? Name supplied |
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| Reply from Faringdon Coffee House
- 31/8/06 This is a response to the unfortunately judgemental comments by people including the husband of the wife concerned, who refused to let us discuss the situation with him (the husband)due to him putting the phone down on us twice! The £1.50 charge is high to do exactly what it is intended to do - stop people continuously walking in off the street to use our facilities. It has done exactly that - just discourgaged. We are trying to keep the toilet free for our customers use. Most of our customers have passed comment to us on seeing our signs in the toilet with disbelief that people use our toilets without being a customer and are surprised that people can be that disrespectful. What is sad is that the ways of the world have come to mean inability to talk to someone and disrespect and no one is allowed to stand up for themselves anymore. In response to our 'prices being steep for a while' - our prices have been static for four years and despite the price of gas and electricity increasing extortionately we have continued to keep our prices the same. In fact, increasingly customers are asking us when we are (and customers tell us that we should) increase our prices because they are too cheap! We do have the decency and guts to discuss charges with our customers at the time. We also have signs up in the toilets to ask for respect that if they use the facilities, all we ask is that they make a purchase. How informative, fair and more decent can that be. It is a shame that we had to take the 'policy' that we have but for the first five years we were at The Faringdon Coffee House we continuously let people walk off the street and use our toilets. Hundreds walked off the street all the time to use our facilities. It was customers who had a go at us when excessive time was spent in there by people who customers saw as non-customers making them wait who had less right to use it. We were also burgled by one of these people who took £2,000 worth of goods from us by using our own security system to watch us out front working hard one busy Saturday afternoon. We know that not everyone is a burgler and we are in no way suggesting this was the situation the other Saturday but it has made us angry and protective of facilities that cost us a lot of money and hard work to build in the first place and to continuously maintain. It isn't marble, gold, fresh flowers and free perfumes we are asking people to pay for. A lot of people would be surprised to read how we frequently have to fix (as actually was the case on this occasion), mop up urine, clean excrement from the walls, replace stolen perfume (which does exist in the cupboard)and stolen toilet rolls which do not even fit a standard household roll holder. It would seem that some people reading this site think everyone is being charged for the use of the toilet. We would like to point out that it is a charge to discourage non customers, not those that are dining in our premises on that day. It is very sad that the gentleman who has offered this for public debate could not even speak to us about the matter. This is the only time this charge has been applied to someones bill. It was discussed at the time the lady was paying and it was hoped that the bill would be seen on getting home, to encourage a discussion with the husband too. We fully intended for the charge to be reimbursed and only added it to encourage a discussion since we were ignored on the day when she regularly spoke to us but ignored us twice when spoken to on the day. Would it have been too much trouble for the husband who we considered to be a friend to come up and say hello whilst standing around waiting rather than make us feel used. Instead the phone was put down and when we tried to call again the phone was put down again. To put straight those who have judged us as gutless - we made several attempts to try to talk. There was nothing underhand or unprofessional about the way this was de alt with . ...and by the way, VAT was only included rather than added on as we are required to do so by law as it is a service charge. T racy worked with various disabled groups for twelve years and never used a person and their disabilities as a reason for using and abusing a facility provided by a private company. Even before owning our own business we respected that we should only have the right to use a facility as a paying customer at that time. What is wrong with the public toilets we all pay for in our council tax? Where the husband waited for his wife was at least the same distance to the public toilets at the rear of Budgens carpark. We were very grateful for last years petition signatures in support of the outside seating but the attack on what threat they came under was underhand and spiteful, something we have not been on this occasion. For those who are thinking our pockets are being heavily lined, we work long, hard hours to try to provide a service of quality food and drink. The costs involved in running a business like this a lot of people do not know unless they have done it. What is wrong in Faringdon at the moment? Everyone seems to be enjoying attacking someone or other. Where has peaceful, respectful, harmonious living together in a small town gone? Faringdon Coffee House |
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| More lorries along Gravel
Walk? - 31/8/06 Can anyone shed any light as to why the traffic, particularly heavy articulated lorries, has seemingly quadrupled in the last few weeks along Park Road and Gravel Walk? As a long term resident on Gravel Walk, I have noticed a massive increase in this very heavy commercial traffic along the road in just the last couple of weeks, particularly during what were the quieter parts of the day. Is there a diversion taking these lorries off the A420 that I don't know about? Is there a major new commercial enterprise warranting all these loaded lorries? More worryingly is this a permanent new route for traffic that seems more suited to the A420 than through the middle of town? If anyone has any ideas I would be very interested to know. Lindsay Lewis |
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| Faringdon Coffee Shop
-31/8/06 £1.50 - now that really is taking the P...! Name supplied |
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| Another charity shop/Walk to
school - 31/8/06 Another charity shop for Faringdon, and another supporting good works in Africa as does our existing charity shop alongside the Corn Exchange! What is going on? I'm still hoping that someone out there can throw light on the revised walk to school plans and clarify at what point along Gloucester Street the children will cross over to the school - am particularly concerned that they might be expected to cross in front of the entrance between No 25 and the large green house opposite the library (there are some marking outside the library which indictate that there are plans to drop the pavement). This drive is in regular use and the cars pulling in and exiting (sometimes having to reverse into the street) could present a real hazard to children. Name supplied |
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| Faringdon Coffee House -
31/8/06 I'm shocked! Faringdon Coffee House - you should be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves! Whilst I wholly understand that you want to prevent people traipsing off the street and using your toilet facilities, to charge £1.50 for this is disgusting - especially to someone who regularly lines your pockets. Not only that but the way in which you communicated the charge to your customer was underhand and unprofessional. If you wish to levy charges at your customers at least have the decency and guts to discuss it with them face to face rather than sneaking the charge onto the end of a bill (presumably in the hope that it will go unnoticed) Finally can I assume that the toilets are now marble lined with solid gold taps, fresh flowers and free perfumes for its visitors? They certainly weren't the last time I was in there but there must have been some impressive improvements to warrant £1.50 a visit! Bah humbug! Name supplied |
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| Coffee House Charging -
31/8/06 ...not only wholly unreasonable, Ed but extortionate. Their prices have been steep for a while without their charging a regular customer £1.50 to use their toilet. It's also a bit mean since the locals rallied to assist them when their tables outside(bringing in lots of additional revenue)were under threat. An explanation would be welcome, to us all who are/were clients of the coffee shop Mel Taylor |
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| Charging to use the loo -
29/8/06 If I may I'd like to invite comment not least to the owners / management of the Faringdon Coffee House in the Market Place, that will help me determine if I'm out touch with the current ways of the world. A couple of Saturdays ago whilst out shopping with my wife she needed to use the loo. She has cognitive difficulties since suffering brain damage some time ago but has no trouble with achieving her personal needs. She is a regular user of the coffee shop and is well known by the staff there and as we were close by she took advantages of their facilities. I needed to extract some money from the Lloyds ATM in the meantime so she went on her own. The following Monday after her usual lunch there her receipt showed a "Toilet Charge" for £1.50. I was a bit taken aback and decided to phone the owner to discuss how this had happened and came to learn that this was "Policy". Now - I don't really mind the £1.50 but what I need help to understand is whether "Policy" particularly in a small market town like ours, should mean the retrospective charging of a well known and regular customer, and who has obvious disabilities, to take a needy natural break. Then to top it all go on to add VAT to it as well!! But perhaps I am out of touch. I prefer to leave my name unpublished for the sake of my wife's dignity. Name supplied Ed: Words fail me. I can understand a modest charge to 'strangers'/non customers - but to make a retrospective (and high) charge to a regular customer seems to me to be wholly unreasonable- but that's just my view |
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| Land in park road -26/8/06 If you wander up by the nursery site there are numbered markers showing the new house placements (presumably). Terry Ellis |
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| Re: Land in park road
-26/8/06 Have a look at this link. http://www.faringdon.org/pdfdocs/Supp%20Planning%20Guidance.pdf Its not that up to date but seems to be similar to whats unfolding. Does anyone know which businesses might be moving in or starting up? Name supplied |
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| Missing Cat - 23/8/06 Missing since July 19th - large, fluffy chocolate and cream tabby male cat. Has a very long tail.Lost from Coxwell Road. Answers to the name of Oscar. Any information gratefully received on 01367 240744. Name supplied |
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| Folly statues - the
Vandalism - 23/8/06 Pondering the vandalism at the folly park, in particular the sculpture. We couldn't help but think if only it had been made from building materials that are natural and proven to stand the test of time, stone for example; stone henge may have been chipped at, knocked over and even drawn on but its still something to visit. Stone sculptures are perhaps a thing of the past now that we can use asbestos, spray concrete and that really artistic spray foam. It was just waiting for some heavy handed chap to put a fist through it! Patrick Walker |
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| Land in Park Road - 20/8/06 There were two houses along Park Road next to the upholstery shop which have been bulldozed. Does anyone know what the plans are for the site? Name supplied Ed: I think this will be part of the new business park development |
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| 15 Minutes of Poetry -
17/8/06 I was very impressed by the number of people attending the poetry presentation at the Portwell Bar. Once again Faringdon proves to be a breeding ground for artisic talent. Any poets are more than welcome to come along to the 15 Minute Club to read their poetry (it's not only for musicians)...or maybe there's scope for a dedicated poetry night. David Reynolds |
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| Housework? ~ ~ Much Ado About
Nothing - 16/8/06 My daughter isn’t very well my wife has gone to stay She said I must remain at home...I’d just get in the way. So now I’m totally in charge. The house I now will run It can’t be very difficult; in fact it might be fun The house was spotless when she left and she’s coming back on Friday. She knows that I am capable..I’ll keep it clean and tidy. I won’t be cleaning very much for I must confess the secret is quite simple. I will not make a mess. I won’t be using all the rooms. For this is what I’ll do I’ll close the doors on most of them and just use one or two. And there’s no point in cleaning every day she is away But I’ll work hard for one full hour on Friday come what may. Washing clothes and washing up, household chores, and such May well appeal to women but don’t thrill men too much Yes, a housewife’s job is easy. No one could claim it’s tough. But I think I’ll find it boring.. So one week will be enough! MCP Ed. Presumably Male Chauvinist Pig |
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| POETRY COMP NIGHT -15/8/06 I would like to say a big big thank you to everyone that turned up, congratulations once again to Sarah and Val for winning the prizes, (I know it wasn't the money that made you enter, it was my badges wasn't it?) Martin, John, and of course Hilary and Gene, who put the effort into making it all worthwile, as I said during the evening, it started off as a joke, and ended with a lot of fun, and of course some great poems, I am more than happy to sponsor this event for as long as people want it, next year an extra catagory will be added, under 15s. Seeing as this years batch was of an incredibly high standard, I think I had better start buying my badges in bulk for next year. Jim Horton |
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| Voluntary Sector Forum
Event - 15/8/06 To be held on 21st September at Wantage Civic Hall, to include workshops for organisations recruiting volunteers and management committees. The Volunteer Centre Oxfordshire (a service of Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action) is also working on an individual basis with organisations in the Vale, to include Faringdon, Wantage, Grove and surrounding village to help develop volunteering opportunities to register with us. You can visit www.oxnet.org.uk to see how these would be displayed, under volunteering tab on left hand side of the page. For more information on the Forum event, or an informal chat about any volunteering good practice issues, contact Frances Duggan on 01865 251946 or email info@ocva.org.uk This work is being supported by the Vale of White Horse District Council |
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| Free Community Cafe - 15/8/06 Faringdon Area Project are holding a Free Community Cafe on September 2nd in the Corn Exchange from 10am to 2pm. We are focusing on Faringdon's rich heritage and will be exhibiting a large amount of photographs of Faringdon dating back to the 1850's. We would be particularly delighted to hear recollections of Faringdon from those residents who have lived in the town for many years and who will have seen many changes in our town. If you have any information that you think might be of interest to us please contact Julie Farmer on 0845 859 1720 or email me at annamarlow@tiscali.co.uk. Many thanks Anna Marlow |
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| Poetry Prize Night -
15/8/06 Yes, thank you to everybody involved who made it such a fun event. Nice to put faces to names !. Thank you to Jim & Martin for the prizes......the money I've sent off to Cancer Research and the bottle of bubbly.......sadly it wouldn't fit in the envelope !. Sorry I Chickened out of reading my poem...maybe I should have been given the champagne earlier in the evening !. Well done Sarah, such a clever poem and good luck with your future composing. Val |
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| Poetry Comp Prize Night - 15/08/06 It was good to see everyone who came along to the poetry prizegiving at the Portwell Bar. Special thanks to John Taylor, (AKA Alfred, Lord Tennyson), who made a splendid job of reading many of the poems and entertaining us, and to Martin Phillips who donated prizes and offered the venue, and of course to Jim Horton for his inspired idea and prizes, including the famous 'Jim fixed it for me' badges. I hope we shall be able to establish the poetry competition as an annual Faringdon event. Hilary T |
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| Incident at the Church - 14/8/06 I noticed on Kirsty's police report that there was an incident at the church. Can anyone add more? I was shocked, perhaps the details were in the previous edition which I failed to read. Is there an archive we can access. Its better than TV! Hope the pink petunias are recovered soon Name Supplied |
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| Budgens Deliveries
-14/8/06 My wife is an employee of Budgens and the comments regarding the lorry keeping the town to standstill have made me chuckle..... When would you like the deliveries to arrive, lets have it past 8pm when the town is quiet. We nearly lost the 15 minute club because of noise, how would the locals like the cages coming off the lorry at 9 or 10 pm........ I don't think so ! It has been an issue previously with the store neighbours and the company agreed to deliver earlier in the day. Lets also think about the employee's, when do you think the shelves get filled so that the morning customer's have reasonably full shelves,(tongue in cheek), yes that's right, after the store has closed until 11pm. When do you want these people to work, until 2 or 3 am I suppose. The lorry probably couldn't get into position as locals had illegally parked, which I believe goes back to your other points...... The town is a sleeping giant, but due to the high rental costs, larger stores do not want to enter the town, however if they did, where would the deliveries park, causing more disruption to the town. Name supplied |
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| FOUND - Chocolate burmese cat. -11/8/06 Thanks to all who scoured their garages and sheds. He's well (albeit shaky) and home again. Name supplied |
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| 15 MINUTE CLUB. -
10/8/06 A big thank you to everyone who came to the Council meeting on Tuesday. Thank you also to Martin and David for their patience and understanding after what must have felt like a kick in the proverbials. I regret that such a meeting was ever neccessary, but there is no doubt that at the end of the process the club is stronger for the community support it demonstrated through the last few difficult weeks. The passion and eloquence of the speakers from the floor left councillors in no doubt of the value you place on the club. Thank you also for your tolerance during the debate, true democracy in action. Whilst I disagreed with Cllr Hickmore's point of view on the club and the attempt to return the decision to the Venues committee; I would defend his right to argue for and represent a minority viewpoint, that after all is democracy. However the club now has the clear and unambiguous support of Council through the vote and a certain future. Finally, having attended two of the last three Clubs I am looking forward to September and the chance to enjoy more live music. Thank you all Cllr Steve Leniec |
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| A massive THANK YOU -
10/8/06 ......to Councillor Steve Leniec for putting forward this motion, and speaking with such conviction on the night. Your name is duly added to the list of people to whom we owe our gratitude for the continuance of the 15 Minute Club. Also to John Gilman for being so steadfast and supportive and for chairing the meeting so expertly, and to all the Councillors who support not just the 15 Minute Club, but Faringdon and its residents. Dee Lockwood |
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| Just Give 15 Minutes -
10/8/06 Me again ..is it too late to put in an entry for the poetry competition? His name is Alan Hickmore A Councillor no less Supporting Arts and Music Is what he claims to do the best. He speaks for all the residents Or was it just the two? Who say ban the 15 Minute Club, Great entertainment? Poo poo! An extraordinary meeting For an extraordinary club The support was overwhelming More people than in the pub! Apparently the noise levels Were considered way too steep Councillor Hickmore was concerned For the 'masses' and their sleep. "The windows they were rattling Unacceptable I say!" Despite the Environmental Officer Giving the A OK. As for the imaginary 'masses', They must have stayed at home Because among the 70 odd people Bar 2 - Councillor Hickmore stood alone! We are your masses Councillor Do you hear what we are saying? Let us repeat for clarity We want the Artists playing! Little Caleb is hard of hearing The youngest performer yet. He feels the vibes like no one else .and he's more 'in tune' I'd bet Did anyone know that Abby could sing? Would you have missed that for the world? A rough cut Diamond at the start Now a voice as smooth as pearls . Mervyn Penney and his Banjo To shouts of 'please play more.' PowerTrain and their Rock Chicks Fantastic bands galore! Saxophonists, guitars and flute Teenie Rock bands - aren't they cute?! Bobby Moore's Shorts now supporting big names Began on 15 minutes of fame. But then you would know all of this If you had visited just one night. You'd understand the passion And the need to fight and fight. Credit to one objector Who at the meeting showed his face Apparently he was appeased When supporters put forth their case He didn't argue 'Legalities' Of voting on that day Unlike our Councillor Hickmore Is that really what I heard you say?!!! 'Speak up Councillor Hickmore' The residents at the back can't hear it. 'I'm not speaking to you' he says .that could become a habit. Few people support the Music and Arts More than me, he said So at the words - the 15 Minute Club will not close Why did he mutter 'Yet'?!! Well the residents of Faringdon Insist we'll have our say The Sunday 15 Minute Club IS DEFINITELY HERE TO STAY!!! A massive pat on the back to the residents of Faringdon! can I continue the thread about Budgens being a rubbish supermarket now Dee Lockwood Ed: Yes too late - but why not recite it at the 15 min Plug and play?? |
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| The 15 Minute Club - A Big
"Thankyou" - 10/8/06 I'd like to say many thanks to all who attended the council meeting last night, to those who couldn't make it but sent their supportive wishes, to those who posted their support on this website, and to those who wrote and spoke directly to the council. The strength of support was quite overwhelming. Thanks also to June and Hilary in the council offices for keeping their peckers up whilst on the receiving end of so much correspondence! They do a marvellous job, often without the praise they deserve. Once it was all over last night someone commented to me what a waste of time it had all been, in the sense that the erroneous decision should not have been made in the first place. Whilst I agreed with the principle, I have to say that the whole episode was far from a waste of time. Other than the Faringdon Arts Festival has there ever been such a groundswell of public support and sense of community spirit? Not in the 15 years that I've lived here. From the young lads who plastered the town with clever and imaginative "lyrics" posters (fixed conscientiously with easily-removable BluTac), to the many supportive words we have received from pensioners. Democracy does rule, and I'm proud to be a Faringdonian. Thanks again. Martin Phillips |
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| 15 minute club -
10/8/06 Congratulations to Martin and David and well done to all those who spoke in favour of the 15 Minute Club. Thank God, sanity prevailed (although Councillor H seemed hell-bent on the insanity option). See you all at the next 15 Minute Club! Jon and Mel |
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| 15 Minute Club -10/8/06 The news that the 15 Minute club will continue is fantastic. Faringdon is getting socially stronger all the time due in part to a number of dedicated people providing us with a variety of great events like the club, the arts weekend etc. It's also testament to the great people of Faringdon, their support and their community mind set. All I can add is that if you haven't been to the 15 Minute club go, there really is something for all ages, and its done and run by real people for all of us. Andy Patyra |
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| Another 15 minutes wanted
- 10/8/06 Now that people are going to get their 15 minutes of fame that they deserve, perhaps the Thames Valley Police could spare 15 minutes each day and sort out the illegal parking! Coxwell Street is still dreadful as people are just bone idle when it comes to parking. The Market Place is no better with especially R109ERS (Rogers) car parked all day in the disabled bay. Disabled bays in the town seem to get a lot of able bodied users in them. On a more serious point; on Tuesday the town was brought to a standstill by a lorry delivering to Budgens at about 1730. The traffic was backed up all through the Market Place and up London Street, and people resorted to using the Bus Lane to get through past the Crown. Had to be extra careful then as nearly got run over. These car users really had no choice as it was entirely Budgens fault but why? Cant they get the deliveries a little later? The Bus lane I notice doesnt have very good signage and there is no mention of "No Entry" painted on the road. Surely that would help as soon someone is going to get hurt. Perhaps then the Police will do something. Name supplied |
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| 15 Minute Club - 9/8/06 I would like to thank Cllr Leniec's, Dave Reynolds & Martin Phillips for making sure the 15 Minute Club will continue. Common Sense does Prevail... Thank you very much Raoul van Eijndhoven |
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| MISSING Chocolate burmese male
cat. - 9/8/06 2yrs. Overdue vaccination and needs vet attention asap. Very skinny, went missing 8/8 at the top of Coxwell Street (Coleshill Drive). Usually very home-bound. Has collar with tag, and is chipped. Please can you check your sheds and garages as we miss him very much, my little boy is very sad. Call 07930 490 474 if you see him - please. Name supplied |
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| Council meeting - 15 minute club - 9/8/06 How good it was to see so many residents at the meeting (50-70?), as far as I could tell largely in support of the club continuing. There were many speakers from the floor in support and none who spoke to justify the decision to close it. Concerns were expressed about the noise levels that may disrupt nearby residents, so the Council is to pursue the sound proofing of the hall- which wil cost it seems about £15K The 15 minute club organisers have agreed that the club will close promptly at 11pm, that drum and base guitars will not be played after 10pm, and that statutory noise levels will not be exceeded- all these actions have already been put in place. One councillor felt that the full Council could not make the decision as it had delegated authority to the Venues committee for the running of the various Council venues in the town.. He believes that as that committee made the decision (albeit ultra vires - definition - 'beyond strength'; beyond or exceeding the authority of a person, court, etc.) it was only that committee that could review the decision made. This view was not accepted by the Mayor and the Town Clerk, so the discussion took place and Cllr Leniec's motion to have the previous decision rescinded was carried (majority vote) Thank goodness - the 15 minute club is a huge benefit to the town. Speakers mentioned people from Oxford, Cirencester, London even, coming to listen or participate. The ages of performers ranges from 8 - 84 years, and people spoke of whole families coming to the event This club has really put Faringdon on the map, and has resulted in many spin off activites and musical groups Hooray for common sense, people power and the energy of the organisers and performers Gene Webb PS - Look out for the full story in next months Folly |
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| 15 Minute Club...and now the right decision! -
9/8/06 Last night the Town Council in an Extraordinary meeting voted overwhelmingly to support the continuance of the 15 Minute Club on the first Sunday in every month. Despite the attempts by one Councillor to contemptuously disregard the views of both the public and fellow councillors by shrouding his argument in spurious and uneducated legalities, the Council rightly took the view that the Club is of great benefit to the town and should continue subject to certain conditions. As an organiser of the event I welcome the opportunity to work with the Council to make sure that it continues to be a valuable contribution to the community as a whole. David Reynolds |
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15 MINUTE CLUB - TOWN COUNCIL MEETING. As promised there will be an extraordinary meeting of Town Council on August 8th to consider the decision to close the club. The meeting will be held in the Jubilee room at the Pump House* see above as we anticipate that there may be a large turnout of residents. Unfortunately the Corn Exchange Hall is booked on the evening otherwise that would have been an ideal venue. The meeting will start at 7.15pm and is a single issue meeting. The Agenda has been posted on the Council notice board outside the Corn Exchange as usual, however I will include an outline agenda here for your information. AGENDA 1. Apologies for Absence 2. Minutes of last meeting : 12th July (circulated herewith) 3. Matters Arising 4. Declarations of Interest 5. Public Question Time (Qestions will normally be restricted to one from each member of public, or a maximum of three per meeting. Written notice of questions must be recieved by the Clerk at least 3 working days before the meeting.) 6. Public Speaking Time (Members of the public will be required to state their name and address before speaking and each speaker will normally be restricted to 3 minutes duration. This is not a question and answer session.) 7.Motions Under Notice Proposer: Cllr. S Leniec Seconder: This Council recognises that the Fifteen Minute club plays a major role in a vibrant arts community in the Town. Council recognises that the closure decision taken at the Venues committee meeting on 18th July was "ultra vires" and rescinds that decision. Accordingly Council supports the continuation of monthly Sunday meetings of the club in the Corn Exchange subject to the following conditions: .Strict adherence to the 11.00pm closure. .No amplified music after 10.00pm. .Council to be notified and agree any proposed change to normal start time. .Operation within the limits set by the noise limitation equiptment. .That statutory noise levels are not exceeded. For it's part Council will: .Continue to investigate and implement any practical noise containment measures in the hall. .Request regular noise level checks from the Environmental Health Officer at the VWHDC. .Monitor complaints and operation on a regular basis through reports to the Venues committee. Dated 1st August 2006 Cllr J.C.W.Gillman Town Mayor I hope that as many residents as possible from both sides of the argument are able to attend in order to have a full and fair debate this time. Please note the time restriction on Question submitted and also the 3 minute public speaking rule. If you met any Councillors on the 6th or before the meeting please lobby them gently! Cllr Steve Leniec |
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| Crossing Hazard in Gloucester
Street- 03/08/06 Can anyone shed some light on the recent plan to reroute children walking to school from the town centre? I notice from paint markings on the pavement outside the library on Gloucester Street that that the pavement is about to be dropped directly opposite a drive which is in constant use by vehicles some of which often have to reverse onto Gloucester Street. Surely it is not proposed that the children should cross to and from school at this potentially hazardous point. If any is aware of what is being proposed then it would be very helpful if they would post what they know. With thanks. name supplied |
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| 15 minute club -
03/08/06 As a resident of Gloucester Street I deplore the proposed closure of the 15 minute club - I take it that the council will now cancel all the wedding and disco bookings to boot! And yes we do hear the music particularly on still evenings but being reasonable folk we know that it will begin and end as programmed; perhaps those complaining folk could direct their energies into putting a stop to the random noise pollution that eminates from some of the domestic residences a mere stone's throw from the Corn Exchange! name supplied |
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