NEW PARISH PLAN WEBSITE

Check out the new website for the Community Led Parish Plan – keeps you up to date with progress on Action Plans to take our community up until 2024

http://bcscommunityledparishplan.org.uk/

NEW ON THE WEBSITE

Check out the news pages for Ann Linton's wreath-making morning, the Brightwell donkey who made headlines – and new faces at the Community Association (including an easier-to-find web page).

Hugh's last blast....

Also, visit the Photo Gallery for pictures of the Teddy Bear Parachute Drop and the opening of St Agatha's new meeting room (plus all-important new loos!)

http://www.brightwellcumsotwell.co.uk/photo_gallery.php?catID=1283

SITE B GETS GO-AHEAD FOR DEVELOPMENT

Over 500 new houses could eventually be built on the Brightwell side of Wallingford – 'Site B' – after the planning inspector has given the go-ahead to SODC's core strategy.

While the inspector concedes that there is little to choose between Site B and Site E – on the Winterbrook side of the town – he has eventually agreed with the council's choice of Site B as the preferred option.

To follow his reasoning, read pages 17 to 24 of the full report on the SODC website.

http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building/planning-policy/core-strategy-inspectors-report

MAGIC MUSHROOMS

Derek Brooker spotted this weird fungus when he was out walking with his grandson in the Millennium Wood, and asked us to find out if anyone knew what it was.

We put his photo on the website on Sunday afternoon, and by early evening he had the answer. According to Paul Chilton, it's Shaggy Ink Cap. It's said to be edible if you pick it when young and eat within 24 hours – but, says Paul, "If serving, enjoy, but don't bother to invite me!"

History doesn't repeat whether mushroom tart was on the menu in the Brooker household this weekend – but it certainly shows how quickly the web can provide answers.

POTHOLES!

One unfortunate cyclist contacted the website recently to say he had caught his back wheel in a pothole, irreparably damaging the rim. Most of the big potholes in the village have been filled in, but there are still some lurking ready to catch the unwary.

Apparently, potholes are the County Council's bag. If you've had a similar experience, you should take a photo of the offending hole (plus any damage it has done) and send it to Oxfordshire County Council Highways Department. Alternatively, if you contact Lucy Dalby, the Parish Council clerk, at bcsparishcouncil@googlemail.com she will report it for you.

WANT FASTER BROADBAND?

Frustrated at how slowly your village website appears on your screen? A simple speed check could help Oxfordshire County Council build a case for better broadband – and, in the short term, could help you decide whether you are getting the best value for money.

Taking part is easy:

1. Check your internet speed at a site such as  http://www.broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk This will tell you not only your own broadband speed, but that of anyone else in the neighbourhood who has taken the test.

2. Put in the results on the short survey to be found at  http://www.oxonline.co.uk.

The OxOnline project – set up to take advantage of the government's Broadband Delivery UK initiative – aims to bring improved broadband speeds to the area by 2015. As the most rural county in the South East, there is a danger that Oxfordshire will be left behind as broadband providers concentrate on more lucrative urban areas. Your survey contributions will help the council demonstrate a demand for improved service using evidence not available to them in any other way.

WELCOME BACK TO THE VILLAGE STORES BLOG!

Thanks to Chris Baines for reviving the blog. Check it out at http://brightwellvillagestores.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/the-blog-is-back_9.html

GRAVEL IS PITS!

We try very hard not to take sides when things get political. However, we couldn't resist this wonderful cartoon entered by David Greasby for the Produce Show at this year's Village Fete.

Check out the website, too, for where to catch the Olympic torch, and for the latest 'In the Frame' portrait of John Rodda.

QUEEN VISITS MOAT

So what was the Queen doing in the moat of Sotwell House? We may not have the answers, but we do have the pictures.... Visit the website's photo gallery to get the full picture.

BRIGHTWELL-CUM-SOTWELL'S JUBILEE SCULPTOR

New 'In the Frame' interview with Bruce Gordon, who has sculpted for Rolls Royce, Brad Pitt and the Queen....http://www.brightwellcumsotwell.co.uk/pwpcontrol.php?pwpID=7221

SUE ROBSON AND THE CHAIR LEG INCIDENT

Read Sue's stories as Chris and Helen put the landlady in the frame

http://www.brightwellcumsotwell.co.uk/pwpcontrol.php?pwpID=7221

WE PUT THE VICAR IN THE FRAME

As the last JCB moves out of the graveyard, and the walls start to rise on the new extension at St Agatha's, we talk to Jeremy Goulston, team vicar in charge of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell and Crowmarsh for almost five years. Find out about his past as a marquee rigger and pig farmer – and his secret hankering for a Staffordshire bull terrier.
http://www.brightwellcumsotwell.co.uk/pwpcontrol.php?pwpID=7221

SPRING CLEANING

When we first launched the revamped website, well over a year ago now, we had lots of grand ideas. One – inspired by initiatives from Sustainable Wallingford, and Brightwell's own environment group – was to create a Green Page. Sadly, this is still a twinkle in the eye – but perhaps the time has come to revive it.

One place to start would be food. Spring cleaning the website files turned up this wonderful orchard scene, sent to us by beekeepers Viv and Steve Moll. Brightwell Vineyard have also given us pictures – and the briefest visit to the Village Stores is a reminder that there are many other local producers out there.

So.... can we have more photos from local producers, please, to encourage everyone to buy local? You can send them direct to me at sally.dugan@gmail.com

BRIGHTWELL SCHOOL: CLASS OF 1967

If you ever doubted the length of the arm of Brightwell website, this photo of Brightwell School pupils in 1967 should prove you wrong. It was sent to us by Amanda Doster (formerly Lane)  – and, thanks to  Paul Vaisey and Paul Taylor, we have now managed to fill in all the missing names.

If you were part of the class of 1967, perhaps you would like to check to see if you agree?

Back row l-r : Hatty Rickards, Ian Tame, Caroline Shears, Martin Dudley, Lindsey Saunders, Robert Saunders, Amanda Lane, Gary Aked, Hazel Jones, Paul Bond, Ginny Newman, Paul Dudley and Susan West.

Middle row l-r: Vincent Bland, Diana Owen, Diane Greenough, Laura Brown, Karen Bland, Mrs Moore, Rowena Ansell, Wendy Turley, Rachel Shuttler, Sarah Humphreys, Paul Taylor

Front row l-r : Guy Higgins, Steven Groom, Timothy Pocock, Paul Watkins?, Thomas Martin, Francis Thorn, Simon Flowers, Paul Vaisey, Mark Whichello, Simon Miles

The teacher's name, according to Paul Taylor, was Mrs Moore. Amanda Lane also remembers that the school secretary was Mrs Munday, who lived in a house at Wellsprings and had a large collection of antique dolls.

CHARLY CLIVE: IN THE FRAME

Check out our second 'In the Frame' subject, on the website now. Follow the links from Village Life, or click here pwpcontrol.php?pwpID=7221 

CONGRATULATIONS RED LION

We didn't need to be told that we had the best pub in South Oxfordshire, but it's good that the people at CAMRA think so, too. Congratulations to the Red Lion team in winning the CAMRA Pub of the Year for South Oxfordshire, 2012.

IN THE FRAME: COMING SOON

In the first of our new series on the Brightwell website, we put our very own acupuncturist, Maria Wells,  'In the Frame'. She explained why she thinks this ancient Chinese needle therapy should be the treatment of choice for a range of conditions. Follow the links from Village Life to read more, or click here pwpcontrol.php?pwpID=7221 You can contact Maria on 07851 326885 or email mariabwells@gmail.com

Watch out for future 'In the Frame' profiles. These include John Rodda, an internationally-known hydrologist who is a familiar Parish Council face – and Charly Clive (below), whose Leaver's Play at Brightwell School started a path which is sending her to New York.

NEXT WEEK: QUIZ AND ACUPUNCTURE!

Come and support your website with the charity quiz at the Red Lion on Monday 27th February, 7.30 for 8 pm. Ring Sue Robson on 01491 837373 to book a table and order chilli. Then go back to the pub on Friday morning, if you're free, to talk to Maria Wells about acupuncture for health and well-being.

Maria, the village's resident acupuncturist, features in a new series on the site called 'In the Frame'. Just follow the links under Village Life. Acupuncture Awareness Week starts on 27th February, so this seemed the perfect moment to put her in the spotlight.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE VILLAGER NOW ONLINE

Frozen puzzles in a Mackney puddle

Catch up with the latest village news in the online highlights from The Villager. This includes obituaries of Patrick Oakley, Evelyn Cobb, Charles Wallis and Sid Moody – and an Alleluia! from Tony Lascelles as the church extension fund reaches its target (and more) after two and a half years of fundraising.

Donations will still be gratefully received, as the church needs a cushion to guard against inflation – but it means work should now start on building next month. Tony has some sharp words to say in his article about SODC – a 'notable omission' from the list of supporters.

There is also news from Sue Robson at the Red Lion. As regular readers of her newsletters will know, she is looking for a buyer for the pub (although she will still be there for a little while yet)...

http://www.brightwellcumsotwell.co.uk/catalogue_main.php?catID=4633

SNOW!

Many thanks to Derek Brooker for providing a new wintry picture for the website... Please keep 'em coming!

SITE B NEWS

See news page for SODC's new draft core strategy. Looks as if they're going with the inspector's ruling..
southoxon.gov.uk/services-and-advice/planning-and-building/planning-policy/core-strategy/mid-examination-publication

BRIGHTWELL MAN IN EVEREST CHALLENGE

Feeling cold? Spare a thought for Robert Briggs, who plans a climb to the inhospitable surroundings of Everest Base Camp in aid of charity. (He's pictured at the top of Kilimanjaro, on his previous mad adventure in 2009). To find out more, visit the website news page http://www.brightwellcumsotwell.co.uk/index.php. And if you'd like to sponsor him, visit www.justgiving.com/Robert-Briggs18200

PHOTOS FOR THE HOME PAGE, PLEASE!

For the time being, we've replaced our Christmas photo with this picture of Didcot Power Station set against a wintry sky: but in the interests of not depicting Brightwell as a suburb of Didcot (!), we'd rather have your winter photos of Brightwell people and places. Last year's snow brought out a rash of cameras, but surely there's something worth taking a picture of?

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Greetings for 2012 to all our readers. You may have noticed that our home page has a suitably seasonal greeting, replacing the usual line-up of four or five photos down the side. However, to please all those superstitious people who take their decorations down on Twelfth Night, we will need to refresh the page on January 6th. So all contributions of photos for this – or for our photo gallery – gratefully received.