Parish Directory
PARISH COUNCIL council@ewelme.info
Chairman
Peter Lemaire
01491 835660
Deputy Chair
David Cooper
01491 835631
Keith Fletcher
01491 836555
Roger Moore
01491 838001
Brian Thompson
01491 839309
David Pryce-Jones 01491 835361
Vacancy
Parish Clerk (Mon – Fri)
Penny Cooper
01491 838271
SODC COUNCILLORS
Felix Bloomfield
01491 832690
Rachel Wallis
01491 836353
EWELME CHURCH
Priest-in-charge
The Revd Jonathan Meyer 01491 837823
Churchwardens
Chips Gell
01491 825826
Vacancy
EWELME SCHOOL
Headteacher
Margery Slatter
01491 839240
EWELME VILLAGE HALL Anne Critchley
01491 834403
EWELME VILLAGE STORE
01491 834467
EWELME PRESCHOOL
01491 835413
Admissions
01491 613143
Laura Gilroy - Chair
EWELME TODDLERS
Kate Masters
07739 667852
MILLSTREAM SURGERY Dr Peter Rose
01491 838286
THAMES TRAVEL – LOCAL BUS SERVICES
Wallingford office
John Wright
01491 837988
LARKMEAD VETERINARY SURGERY
01491 651379
EWELME SOCIETY
Carol Sawbridge
01491 833154
EWELME WEBSITE
www.ewelme.info
EWELME VILLAGE NEWS
Editor
Peter Lemaire
01491 835660
Advertising
Anne Critchley
01491 834403
Printing
Colourplus
01865 400040
Editorial
Have we had the summer or should we expect it later in the year? What
strange weather we seem to be experiencing, one week torrential rains to
ease the problem of drought, a few days that are warm enough to sit in the
garden, then back to rain and cold and some sunshine!! But, how fortunate
that the weather stayed reasonable for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
I was totally enthralled by using the ‘red button’. Suddenly fifteen different
disciplines could be easily accessed and thoroughly enjoyed. Did anyone
else notice the occasional blissful absence of commentators when you used
the ‘red button’? You could actually imagine you were there with all the
sights and sounds you would normally experience without someone filling
your ears with inane rubbish and their own personal views of things!
(Grumpy old man again!) You can tell that Matilda Morley was inspired by
the Olympics from her detailed t-shirt design containing 34 different
disciplines which she entered into the Village Show. The amount of time
she must have spent on this piece of art work is incredible and she richly
deserved the accolade of President’s Junior Choice. That is the reason I
have used it on the front cover of this copy of the Ewelme News. Well
done Matilda!
When the Paralympics began I was there with my sporting enthusiasms
which, sadly, soon waned as the presentation on Channel 4 was not a patch
on that of BBC1 a few days earlier. With all these commercial channels I
resent being a target for advertising every few minutes and tended to then
lose interest in the events. Also, to open a piece about some Paralympic
news by telling you that a particular person had won the gold medal and
then proceeding to show you part of the race really annoyed me. Channel 4
could learn a great deal by taking note of the BBC1 model. (Grumpy old
man again!)
Perhaps that could be one of the legacies of the London Olympic Games!
But having said all that, I was really impressed by the amount of medals
won by all our Team GB athletes, 65 in the Olympics and 120 in the
Paralympics. A really fantastic achievement. I wonder how many young
people have been inspired to try a new sport through watching our great
successes during the past couple of months?
The Editor
Parish Council
Well, we were one person short on our Council! When Brian Thompson
left us to move to the wilder areas of Devon I just knew it would be a
struggle to find someone to replace him. Ewelme should have 6 councillors
as that is the number deemed essential for a village of our size. Surely, I
thought, there must be someone in Ewelme, young or old, male or female,
grumpy or cheerful who would join us on the second Wednesday of each
month! Yes, at times it is boring, at other times almost exciting – it just
depends upon your attitude and whether you enjoy trying to improve the
lot of the village of Ewelme. Then, as if on cue, Sue Irzykowska offers to
come to the rescue – again! Needless to say, Sue was welcomed at our
September meeting with open arms. Thank you Sue for stepping up to the
mark and completing our complement of 6 Ewelme Parish Councillors.
We will be seeking the help of a band of volunteers to assist in (1.) clearing
dead trees and undergrowth in parts of The Common and (2.) clearing
weed from the brook down The Street. We try and do these tasks ourselves
because, if we didn’t, there would have to be a massive hike in the parish
precept which I feel that the vast majority of the village wouldn’t
particularly care for. We try to keep our spending down to the minimum by
doing some things ourselves. But we certainly need the help of
volunteering villagers at times. If I were to approach you and ask, “What
have you done for the village of Ewelme recently?” I wonder what you
would answer. For many people they could reel off a whole list of things but how about you? What would you say if challenged?
Peter Lemaire, Chairman, Ewelme Parish Council
Ewelme Fete 2012
When you are dealing with an elderly, easily confused pensioner like
myself then things happen – or don’t happen. Chips Gell sent me this
excellent report of the Fete in time for the last edition and I filed it in the
wrong place and it was never published. I know it’s a ‘late’ report but still
worth reading in the Ewelme News.
The Editor
We decided to hold the Fete about a week earlier than usual this year so as
not to clash with the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Judging by the great attendance, this message reached most people, and we
were very fortunate to have wonderful sunshine all day. The sunny weather
was reflected in the hundreds of happy people who came, and whose
support was greatly appreciated.
Once again the grounds and gardens of Ewelme Manor had been
beautifully prepared, and were greatly admired by the visitors. It was an
idyllic setting for a village event such as this, and for which we were most
grateful.
All the stalls proved very popular, and many were “sold out” before the
end of the afternoon.
Our stallholders produced hugely attractive stalls, and bunting in plenty.
The members of the Chalgrove Band, who have reached the finals of this
year’s National Brass Band competition, did us proud, playing virtually
throughout the Fete.
It was wonderful to see the many groups of very happy people, often just
sitting on the grass, with families and friends around the grounds.
St Mary’s Parochial Church Council would like to thank everyone who
helped to set up the gazebos and stalls, man the stalls, provide the
continuous supply of teas, help with the advertising, and generally manage
the event, so that the whole day worked so well.
I would like to add a personal thank you to everyone who helped to ensure
that we left the grounds and gardens as they were when we arrived, and
lastly, who removed all the roadside signs so promptly.
With takings of just under £4,000 and minimal expenses this has once
again been of huge benefit to the annual running costs of our beautiful
church, for which we thank you all.
Please note: next year, in 2013, the date for the Fete will revert to the
Spring Bank Holiday on Monday 27 May 2013.
Chips Gell, Churchwarden
Friends of Ewelme Church Charity
We held an enjoyable party for Friends, which was our opportunity to
thank all those who have supported us so generously and to update them on
the proposed works to be undertaken at the Church. Thanks to the
generosity of Friends, the Charity will be able to make a good contribution.
Please come to our next event - a talk by Dr Jonathan Foyle, the wellknown historian and BBC presenter, who will talk on 'Henry VIII: a life of
building from Ewelme to Windsor' on Friday 12 October at 7:30 pm in the
Church. Tickets, strictly limited, cost £15 each, including a glass of wine,
and are available from the Village Store, Chips Gell [01491 825826] and
Jill Butchart [01491 837545]
Deborah Whitfeld, Chairman of the Trustees
Ewelme Village Show
We were so lucky with the weather this year for the Village Show. It rained
during the morning whilst we were preparing for the afternoon, then
miraculously it cleared at lunchtime, staying fine until the prize giving.
Everyone then took shelter in the marquee so that we were able to present
the prizes and call the raffle in the dry, albeit a bit chaotic!
We had over 500 people
during the afternoon. The
entries were a little down on
last year, probably due to the
dreadful weather this summer!
Two new exhibitors, one from
Watlington and one from
Upperton, won 3 cups between
them for their exhibits in the
vegetable division. Valerie
Hester, also new to the Show,
won 2 cups, as well as The
President’s Choice with her
beautiful teddy bear. It is very
encouraging to have new
exhibitors as well as those of
us who have been entering our produce and crafts for years!
I think it is the first time in the history of Ewelme Horticultural Society
that we have had three generations of one Ewelme family each entering
into the Show and all of them winning Challenge Cups. Michael Glasson,
who is a founder member of the Society and is our Show organiser, won
The Winfield Cup for most points in the Show, The Bert Rye Memorial
Vase for the best fuschia and he also had the most entries in the Show. His
daughter, Tracey Perkins, won The Mary Johnson Cookery Challenge
Trophy for most points in that division. Michael’s granddaughter, Jennifer
Stringer, won The Junior Challenge Cup for most points in the 3 to 5 years.
Congratulations to you all.
We were disappointed that the weather prevented the Honeybees coming
along, but the children were delighted with the animals with Avril and Des
Dix’s daughter, Glynis, especially the snake! The Archery was unable to be
there as our usual organiser of this event was in hospital, but thankfully the
regular stalls were with us.
The Show could not run without the continued support of everyone who
comes along on the day to help with various tasks. Stewarding, teas,
running stalls, organising the car parking, setting up in the morning and
clearing away in the afternoon. Also to those who kindly donated cakes,
bottles and raffle prizes. Thank you all very much. A very big thank you to
our excellent committee for their organisation beforehand and on the day.
Thank you to our President, Gemma Clive, for her support and for running
a very successful raffle.
We now have to start again with fund raising for next year, beginning with
the Skittles Evening on the 6 October. Please try to come to this as it is an
enjoyable family evening. Tickets are £8 and include a hot supper.
Thank you again to everyone for your continued support
Ewelme Village Show 2012 – Trophy Winners
DIVISION WINNERS
Lady Hambleden Challenge Cup
Philip McIntyre
The Arthur Johnson Rose Bowl
Kay Tuckwell
The Freda Young Trophy
Valerie Hester
Kathy Bainbridge
The Mary Johnson Cookery Challenge Trophy
Tracey Perkins
The Junior Challenge Cup
Jennifer Stringer
The Best Challenge Cup
Alfred Fraser-Cox
The J C Bruce Junior Cup
John Spence
The Roland Eustace Cup
Mary Spence
SPECIALIST CLASS WINNERS
The J McLaren Cup
Philip McIntyre
The Taylor Cup
Bruce Madle
The Bert Rye Memorial Vase
Michael Glasson
Joan and Bob Mills Cup
Gemma Clive
The Winfield Cup
Michael Glasson
The Rowse Trophy
Matilda Morley
The Watts Trophy
Valerie Hester
The Trisha Scott Trophy
Jeny Sarreti
Homemade Hat
Kathy Bainbridge
Homemade Fudge
Margaret Connolly
Potatoes in a bag
Jeny Sarreti
President’s Choice Junior Exhibit
Matilda Morley
President’s Choice Adult Exhibit
Valerie Hester
Most Entries
Michael Glasson
Angela Harrison, Chairman, Ewelme Horticultural Society
Ewelme Village Show Bottle Stall
Thank you all very much for leaving your donation of bottles in the Village
Store. This was much appreciated by the Horticultural Society Committee
and made running the stall so very much easier. THANK YOU. Also thank
you to the Store for supporting this effort.
Angela Harrison, Chairman, and Cynthia Winfield, Secretary, on behalf of
the Ewelme Horticultural Society
A golfing chance of a lifetime!
Treat yourself to an unparalleled golfing experience at one of the highest
points in the Chilterns. Huntercombe Golf Club, one of the finest inland
golf courses in England, are offering two green fees in a silent auction for
the benefit of Ewelme Horticultural Society. Entrants are required to send
their bid, handicap and including contact details to Peter Lemaire (email:
pjlemaire@aol.com) or send it via post to: Peter Lemaire, Firethorn
Cottage, The Street, Ewelme, Oxfordshire OX10 6HQ by Friday 12
October 2012. The winner will be notified on Monday 15 October 2012.
Huntercombe celebrated its Centenary in 2001 having formally opened in
1901 and the course has changed very little from its original design which
was by Willie Park Junior, winner of the Open Championship in 1887 and
1889. It was owned by William Morris in 1926, who subsequently became
the 1st Viscount Nuffield then later Lord Nuffield who was a key member
of Oxfordshire life after buying the Oxford Military College and
developing the Cowley Works for production of his Morris Motors. The
Cowley Works celebrate their 100th anniversary next year.
This is your golfing chance to enjoy a spectacular day of golf whilst
relishing in the momentous vision of a man who 100 years ago kept
Oxford alive through the Great Depression and helped mould it and the
Chiltern Hills into the spectacular area they are today. So, you keen
golfers, send your silent bid to Peter Lemaire as quickly as you can.
Ella Pickard
Notes from the Parish Council meeting on 11 July 2012
Present:
Keith Fletcher, David Pryce-Jones, Roger Moore
Apologies:
David Cooper, Peter Lemaire
Speeding – The PCSOs will arrange for a Speed Indicator Device (SID) to
be used in Green Lane and elsewhere around the village.
Ewelme News – There should be a payments and refunds policy with
advertising and the Finance Committee will look into this.
Councillor vacancy – As no electors had requested an election, the Parish
Council can co-opt a willing volunteer!
Noticeboard – Council considering various replacement options for the
Council’s enclosed board outside the Reading Room.
Pavilion – Concerns have been expressed about the lack of electric handdryers in the toilets. An electrician will be asked to advise.
The Common – Another volunteer working party will need to be
convened to plant saplings arriving in the autumn.
Car Park – This is to be revamped to inhibit joy-riding. Also, the dips and
mounds need to be rationalised with the help of a mechanical digger.
Seating – The Patrick Harwood seat on the Recreation Ground is looking
rather ‘sad’ and Council will look into possible restoration work.
Notes from the Parish Council meeting on 8 August 2012
Present: Keith Fletcher, Peter Lemaire, David Pryce-Jones, Roger Moore
Apologies:
David Cooper
Speeding – The PCSOs will write to the 15 registered owners of speeding
cars in Green Lane. If caught again, they could be fined.
Old Gym – The SODC enforcement Officer is trying to contact the owner
whom he knows as a ‘John Bugge’ but, so far, he has failed.
Speeding – Councillor Rachel Wallis will be asked about the progress
towards a 20 mph speed limit through Ewelme.
Parson’s Lane allotments – Councillors have met with both the Revd
Jonathan Meyer and Chips Gell (Churchwarden) expressing an interest in
managing the allotments. A feasibility study to be started.
Pavilion – The electric fans in the showers need to be disconnected.
The Common – We need to appeal for volunteers to help clear the dead
wood and plant the new saplings.
Please remember that these are only random jottings from full Parish
Council meetings. You can read the full minutes at three locations around
the village – The Common car park, outside the Reading Room, the bottom
of Green Lane. Alternatively, if you would prefer the minutes to be emailed
to you then please inform the Parish Clerk, Penny Cooper, (Monday –
Friday please) on 01491 838271 or by email to council@ewelme.info
The Editor
A note from the Rectory
The summer is drawing to a close, such as it has been a summer. By the
time you read this the Horticultural show will be over, the marquee
removed for another year, and dreams of baking the prize Victoria sponge
will be on hold until 2013. The Ewelme horse show will have passed and
triumphant riders and precocious pets will be admiring their rosettes, like
Olympic medals hanging on the wall or in a cabinet of trophies. Village
life and church life hinge on the passing of the years and the changing of
the seasons. Just before the clocks change we will have a sung choral
evensong at our benefice service at 4:00 pm on Sunday 30 September,
followed by refreshments. As the season turns to autumn and winter the
ancient stones of the church chill and the vapour of our breath will hang in
the air. It can’t have escaped people’s notice that the church heating has
been on its last legs for some time. T.S.Eliot’s description of the Magis
journey, “ a cold coming we had of it” would seem to be something of an
understatement in Ewelme church during the winter months.
We are very hopeful that at some time during this winter we will have a
new heating system. The planned system is the best that can be supplied to
churches. It will maintain an ambient temperature of about 11 degrees,
which will be raised for services, concerts and any other events. It should
be very discrete and has the advantage of helping preserve the fabric of the
church, which will mean that maintenance and conservation costs should
be reduced in the years to come. Funds are in place and will be a
combination of the work of the Friends of Ewelme Church, the PCC, some
very generous donations and a number of grants. As part of the project
there we also have plans for a modest servery, which will be unobtrusive
and enable us to offer refreshments much more easily at services, for
concerts and occasionally on Sundays. For our church to live and thrive we
need to recognise the importance of a ministry of hospitality to visitors and
locals alike.
Of course the church should not only be about raising money for such
things, it should be about community. But I hope that being warm and
welcomed will add to what we can offer to people. We live in a world and
at a time when religion is often marginalised and we need to show that God
can be approached in many ways. So I hope in the future our welcome will
be warm in many ways and to many people.
Services at St Mary the Virgin, Ewelme
CHORAL EVENSONG
Sunday 30 September
4:00 pm Benefice Service, Preacher The Revd Olivia Graham,
followed by tea
HARVEST FESTIVAL
Sunday 7 October
8:00 am Holy Communion BCP
9:45 am Parish Communion, Common Worship - Modern Language
Harvest Festival – All Families Welcome
Sunday 14 October
8:00 am Holy Communion BCP
11:15 am Matins BCP
Sunday 21 October
8:00 am Holy Communion BCP
9:45 am Family Service
Sunday 28 October
11:15 am Holy Communion BCP
ALL SAINTS’ DAY
Sunday 4 November
8:00 am Holy Communion BCP
9:45 am Parish Communion
4:00 pm Service of thanksgiving for the departed.
REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY
Sunday 11 November
8:00 am Holy Communion BCP
10:50 am Service of Remembrance
Sunday 18 November
8:00 am Holy Communion BCP
9:45 am Family Service
Sunday 25 November
11:15 am Holy Communion BCP
SPECIAL SERVICES TO NOTE FOR YOUR DIARY
7 October – Harvest Festival, 9:45 am
4 November – All Saints Day, Parish Communion 9:45 am
Service of Remembrance for the departed, 4:00 pm
11 November – Remembrance Day, 10:50 am
The Revd Jonathan Meyer
Ewelme Village Quiz Team
The village quiz team will soon be starting the 2012 - 2013 season and we
are on the look-out for new team members. The team enters both the
league and the cup competitions of the South Oxfordshire Quiz League.
Matches are played both home and away during weekday evenings of the
winter months.
Teams comprise of six players. The matches are always good humoured
and played with a competitive edge! We play a total of 10 matches in the
league and as many as we can last in the cup competition.
Transport for away matches is generally provided.
If you would like to join the quiz squad, contact Geoff Watts on
ewelme@btopenworld.com
Geoff Watts, Quiz Team Co-ordinator
The Millstream Day Centre
I attended the recent event at the day centre to witness the official opening
of the new garden and to replace the three sets of double doors separating
the dining room and lounge. The Benson Bulletin on page 10 tells you all
the details of the event. My purpose in writing is that the Chairman of the
Millstream Day Centre, Ian Leppard, asked me to tell people about the
centre because they don’t see many Ewelme villagers there!
The Centre receives no official funding but provides an excellent meal on
Monday, Wednesday and Friday at a very moderate cost. If you cannot get
to Benson under your own steam, there are volunteer drivers willing to
collect you and deliver you back home afterwards. On Wednesdays there is
usually some form of entertainment if you want to stay and get involved.
There is even a ‘sitting’ keep fit group as well!
If you are over 60 and would welcome the chance to get out of the house,
meet and chat if you wish and have a nourishing hot meal without having
to prepare it or wash up – then you need to head to the Millstream Day
Centre. Just give Ian Brown, the Centre’s able administrator, a ring on
01491 834889.
Peter Lemaire, Millstream Day Centre Committee member
Another Ewelme author and photographer!
Some of you by now, may be the proud or possibly reluctant owners of a
book by local resident Terry Allsop. It is a book of photographs taken in
1974 of a 16 acre area of Reading called Newtown before it was
redeveloped. It is, to quote the publishers “a collection of unique and
evocative photographs recording the streets, houses, canal and the people
of that part of Reading“. It was also when a photographer could take
pictures of children playing in the streets, innocent and even reacting to the
camera. Although this was less than 40 years ago it is a defining statement
how times have changed. The photograph here is the one on the front cover
of the book showing properties overlooking the Kennet & Avon Canal.
Copies of the book priced £10.00 can be obtained from Terry Allsop 01491
838798. If you ask him nicely, he might even sign it for you!
The Editor
Ewelme Village Store
The first days of September have been a delight and it has been a pleasure
to see so many people sitting outside the Store enjoying both the sunshine
and our home-made cakes and other snacks. We all deserve this
improvement: let’s hope the fine weather continues and brings a true
Indian Summer. Speaking of the snacks we provide, we are now able to
offer croissants and/or toast and butter, with marmalade and a choice of
other preserves.
VOLUNTEERING – we always need more volunteers to work with our
managers to staff the store, either on a regular basis or occasionally to
cover holidays. Working in the Store is great fun. It is not necessary to
have any experience in the retail trade, but interest and enthusiasm are
helpful, together with an enjoyment of interaction with the customers.
Please let us know of anyone who might be interested, or ask them to
contact us. It would also be useful to know of any new residents in the
village, so that we can introduce the shop to them.
We ran a stall at RAF Benson’s Families’ Day and it was good to feel that
Ewelme Village Store was becoming more familiar to the wider
community. Gemma Clive and Sarah Maine took half the shop to this
event and the Store also contributed a hamper of produce and goodies to
the raffle. It was a most successful day.
Looking back over the last year, the list of our innovations is quite
impressive. I thought it would be useful to provide an aide memoire – and
we do hope you have been able to take advantage of at least some of
these:Wine of the Month – this scheme is going well and seems to be
appreciated
Red Dog Cider – unusual, delicious and able to compete well with other
modern ciders
Vegetable orders – Ewelme residents seem to be grateful for these
Spice jar refilling service
Brown and white breadcrumbs always in the freezer
New salad dressings
Delicious locally-made ice creams
Cawston pressed fruit juices
An ordering service for gluten-free flour and other products.
And, finally … a regular email giving details of these innovations as and
when they happen.
Unbelievably, Christmas is fast approaching. We shall be offering
Christmas hampers which can be filled with your own choice of local
produce, plus Christmas and other provisions that will be available nearer
the time.
Christmas Open Evening, Friday, 1 December. This will take its usual
form: mulled wine and nibbles, with Christmas Carols from the children
of Ewelme School. Our Christmas stock will be on show and there will be
many items to buy or order. More details will be given nearer the time, but
it would be helpful if you placed your orders early. We hope to see you all
often between now and the end of 2012.
Sally Fehr, Ewelme Village Store Management Committee
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Peter
I would be grateful if, through The Ewelme News and on behalf of my
fellow organisers Michael Howard and Andy Climpson, I might thank all
who attended for supporting the Hog Roast & Barn Dance on 25 August.
Whilst I have not conducted a survey, it appeared to me that a good time
was had by all and from the perspective of Michael, Andy and myself the
only disappointing aspect of the evening was the lack of numbers.
There are a number of causes which may have contributed to this. The
difficult economic times in which we find ourselves, the less than
favourable weather on the evening and, perhaps, the repetition of the
previous 4 years’ format. At all events, unlike those previous years on this
occasion, there was no profit to share between the Cricket Club and the
Church and, at best, we hope to have broken even. Partly on these grounds
and partly on account of the increasing age and the decreasing physical
abilities of 2 of the organisers (guess which 2) we have decided not to hold
an event next year. Perhaps somebody in our community would like to take
up the baton?
In the meantime, the three of us offer our grateful thanks to all who have
supported the event over the past four years.
With kindest regards.
Yours sincerely
Graham Bayford, Main Road, Appleford-on-Thames, Abingdon
I make no apology for including this next letter again! Possibly some
people missed it in the last edition – going by the surprisingly poor
response! Please read it carefully and – if you ever had any dealings with
George Cannon and have any ideas - please get in contact. It might be
good to meet up with interested parties for coffee one evening towards the
end of October. The Ed
Dear Editor
With the recent death of George Cannon I feel that Ewelme has lost one of
its most loyal servants. George worked tirelessly for the good of the village
through his activities with the church, the school and his abiding interest in
local history. Usually most of this work was done quietly, without any
fuss.
I would like to honour his efforts in some way by providing something that
will be a lasting tribute to him and a recognition for all that he has done. If
anyone else feels the same way I would love to hear from you so that we
can discuss how we can achieve this at some time in the future.
I worked with George at the school for a number of years - I was then
Mary Kelly. If you are interested in pursuing this idea please contact Peter
Lemaire at pjlemaire@aol.com or myself on 01494 432109 or email me at
marygaines@onetel.com
I look forward to hearing from you.
Mary Gaines
Dear Editor
Once again I would like to say a very big THANK YOU to all friends and
neighbours that gave their valuable time to help with the teas at the
annual Horticultural Society show. The weather started off as usual on
a summers day with rain and I really thought at two o'clock we were
going to have a quiet event this year. We were very lucky as the rain
had stopped and by two thirty we were flat out. This continued until just
after four o'clock when the rain again appeared and with only two cakes
left! Everyone worked really very hard and for long periods at a time,
with some working the entire duration. We were all very tired after this
event and I would again like to thank you all very much for your
support. Also a big THANK YOU to you bakers of the village, because
without your donations the event would not be the success it is. Thank
you for your time given and for the wonderful donations.
Anne Critchley, The Street, Ewelme
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Ewelme Watercress Beds and Local Nature Reserve
Management Team Newsletter No 25
We had a magical evening early August when we held our Annual Meeting
with the village. It is a sun trap outside the Centre and those of us who
walked the bund with Vernon had an unforgettable experience. We needed
our wellies as sometimes we had to wade through the water walking from
the Centre down to the bridge and back almost blinded by the golden sun.
Of course there is a good flow of water now. Don’t you wish you had come
too? We hope to repeat this event another year but cannot promise such
lovely sunshine. At the meeting that followed, with refreshments provided
by The Friends, we reported on activities that had taken place during the
year. Of great interest was the report on the Bioblitz which was supported
by funding from the Big Lottery. It was the first ever organised in South
Oxfordshire and all participants thought it a great success.
Bioblitz netting
The aim of a BioBlitz is to organise an intense 24-hour event finding and
identifying different species of plants and animals on a specific site. It
engages both scientists and the public in a massive identification exercise
and this is what we organised for our site between 5 pm Friday 13 July and
5 pm Saturday. Knowing that specialists would be essential to the success
of the event, we advertised the event to relevant organisations, as well as
personally inviting keen naturalists - and the word was spread.
Apparently, there is nothing that dedicated scientists like more than to
spend a wet weekend on their knees in a damp meadow looking for
wildlife, and we were delighted to welcome a number of wonderful people
who joined us for the Big Hunt.
Pussmoth caterpillar
On Friday evening we set up the traps and infra-red cameras, hoping to
discover which moths, mammals and insects were active at night. The next
morning we examined what we had caught.
The cameras were
disappointing; the only passing mammals discovered were muntjac deer,
cat – and humans setting traps! And when the 12 mammal traps were
opened, we only found two massive slugs! However, the pond and stream
organisms were not upset by the rain, and, luckily being a warm, still night,
we had a very good moth count – 980 individuals of 146 different species
were unpacked in the morning. Following identification they were, of
course, returned unharmed to their habitats. Despite clashing with the
Ewelme School’s summer fete, some children did drop in, and wormcharming was high on their list of popular activities. The weather
brightened by Saturday afternoon, and by the time the deadline of 5 pm
arrived, we had identified 513 different species of plants, fungi, lichens and
animals. Because some species needed microscopic identification, experts
had to finish their identification at home, and our final total was a terrific
593 different species collected in 24 hours, with 64 people attending the
BioBlitz. The Friends gave us tremendous support, providing supper
Friday evening and lunch on Saturday for the visiting experts and
volunteers. You can find out much more by visiting the website
www.ewelmewatercressbeds.org and check out the species we found and
identified.
Since the Bioblitz the annual survey of plants in the wildflower meadow
has been carried out by Ian Stevenson. This is an annual survey to monitor
the progression of the flora in the area of the meadow.
Other surveys of birds and butterflies have continued on a weekly basis. It
has been a dismal year for butterflies because of the weather but, luckily,
these insects have the ability to rapidly recover if and when conditions suit
them. Total numbers counted this year amount to roughly half of those
counted last year with all bar three showing big reductions. The three
exceptions are Brimstone, Peacock and Meadow Brown, all of which show
a slight increase on 2011.
We had a good turnout including the Sonning Common Green Gym for our
traditional first Saturday in September work morning when we moved the
arisings from the recently cut dry and wet meadows to the compost heaps.
However this year, extensive patches of wild flowers including knapweed
and small scabious, but more importantly red bartsia, sneezewort and
marjoram had not yet set seed so had to be left uncut for a while longer. I
hope you have noticed that the hedges alongside The Street have been cut.
During August and July the bypass channel was cleared upstream of the
Nellie Bridge; and the beds down The Street were weeded as well as those
just upstream of the Nellie bridge. The task of pulling the rough hawk’s
beard was completed and most of the monkey flower was removed from
the bed opposite the centre. A hole has been dug in the wet meadow to
monitor ground water levels for the design of a pond. The volunteers will
be giving the meadow another cut in the autumn. We would be really
pleased to welcome more people from Ewelme to help out as currently the
majority of our volunteers do not live in the village. Helping out a few
times a year would make a huge difference to the workload and there are
many types of jobs on offer. You may be interested in training to be a
guide or could help with making teas and coffees, or at home raise
wildflowers as plug plants from our seeds, as well - of course - getting
stuck in to the more demanding physical work. Workdays are held the first
Saturday and third Wednesday morning from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm of each
month. Please contact Tom at thomas.stevenson@ntlworld.com or on
01491 836888 for further information, or to be added to the email
circulation list. Alternatively, turn up at the Watercress Centre during the
session.
First Sunday in the month morning guided walks will now resume from 7
October until the beginning of April next year. There is always something
of interest to see and our visitors tell us how much they enjoy their visit.
Please be at the Centre for a 10:30 am start. Although we charge adult
visitors £3 entry free, Friends of the Watercress Beds are given free entry.
Now that the children are back at school we have several visits scheduled
during September and October and the next Family Activity Event will
take place Friday 21 September at 6:00 pm. If you would like to be put on
our distribution list for future events please contact Margaret on 07879
461593 b.e.connolly@live.co.uk or Ann on 01491 835173. These events
are free. Children need to be aged from seven to twelve and are asked to
bring wellies and an adult if they wish to attend. Places will be given on a
first come first served basis.
The next management team meeting will take place on Tuesday 25
September at 7:00 pm. All are welcome.
Tom Stevenson and Ann Truesdale for the Management Team
The Ewelme Society
The late George Cannon’s sons, Rob and Martin, have recently donated
their father’s local history files to the Archive. George was the inspiration
behind the setting up of the Archive and his extensive research is by far the
most important acquisition to date, containing a cornucopia of information.
Many missing pieces of the village jigsaw are materialising, including the
Parish magazine for 1897 – the year of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee.
Unfortunately, this was not to hand for inclusion in the last News, so we
covered King George V’s coronation instead. However, the Diamond
Jubilee was celebrated on Tuesday, 22 June 1897 and followed the
predicted format. Mr Herman (school master) organised a tea for the
children and a meat-tea for the adults - held in Mr Humfrey’s Tithe Barn at
Fords Farm. A sum of £24 was subscribed that adequately covered the
food and presents for the children. Additionally, an oak tree was planted on
the Common by the Rector’s wife, Mrs Simcox. (The book containing the
names of the subscribers was already in the Archive).
In the Ewelme News of June/July we reproduced an account of the Rough
Music organised in the autumn of 1870 against the man the villagers loved
to hate – George Eyre of Monogram (now High) House. A document dated
1877 in George Cannon’s files reveals Eyre’s bitter dispute with the
Rector, Rev William Wigan Harvey and was probably the reason for Eyre
supposedly burying his brother in his garden.
For the purpose of publicly lampooning his enemies, Eyre had built a brick
wall opposite his house (the present War Memorial wall by the Watercress
Centre) and he determined to humiliate the Rector by affixing “A
Declaration of the Rev Mr Harvey’s feelings towards the unoffending
dead, as evinced by the correspondence which has passed between him and
Mr Eyre”.
The cause of the dispute was that Eyre seemed determined to plant a
weeping willow tree by his young son Charlie Eyre’s chest tomb
monument by the path near the (now disused) door of St John’s Chapel on
the south side of the church. Charlie was buried in 1869, and Eyre had
previously planted two weeping willows, which had died. He planned a
third when Rev Harvey objected to the unsuitability of such a tree in that
small location, offering a rose bush from the Rectory garden instead. Eyre
refused, ordering William Franklin (thatcher) and Mr James (gardener), to
go ahead. Rev Harvey served a legal notice on them all to desist or be sued.
Eyre claimed Counsel’s Opinion that the Rector could not object, and
added he had no jurisdiction over St John’s Chapel anyway. The dispute
escalated, with Eyre writing a diatribe to the Bishop of Oxford dated 31
March 1877 complaining of “Rev Harvey’s ‘Doings’ which every High
Churchman would condemn!” In a further letter to Rev Harvey he threw in
for good measure, the ‘riotous proceedings displayed by his son, on the
evenings of the 19th, 20th and 21st November [sic], 1870’, referring to the
three nights on which the Rough Music was organised.
(A strange
accusation, as this was presumably Ewelme’s Curate, Rev Charles
Harvey).
Eyre then found himself hoist on his own petard, as he discovered one
morning on his own brick wall that during the night an ‘unknown artist’
had the temerity to place a drawing for the attention of passers by. This
depicted a steam train pulling a carriage with a passenger accompanied by
the Devil ‘flourishing his tail’ and a railway guard announcing ‘Change
here for Rome’. Stung to fury, and obviously believing the Rector was
behind this popish slur, he thundered – “I will prevent any indignity being
offered to my remains, for I will not be interred in Ewelme Church Yard,
but in my own Garden.” He would not just have a grave - but would build
a grand Mausoleum between two fir trees, with a weeping willow
extending over and appropriate lithographed inscriptions prepared for
posterity to know how he and his ‘unoffending Charlie’ had been treated.
He further threatened – ‘to have a Notice affixed forever to his premises in
order to perpetuate Mr Harvey’s Doings to all generations, and to show
that such a man had once lived; and a copy of it shall, from time to time, be
circulated, to all classes in the neighbourhood’.
The presence of this psychopathic individual must have been a thorn in
Rev Harvey’s side. The gentle friend of Prime Minister Gladstone died in
1883. His antagonist survived him by nearly 2 years. Eyre’s grandiloquent
plans came to nought, as he moved to Watlington where he died aged 81.
He was buried in Ewelme churchyard on 2 February 1885, bringing to a
close 250 years of the Eyre dynasty in Ewelme.
On a lighter note George Cannon had the original auction document dated
July 1891. This was for the sale of The Lamb Inn (demolished 1942), let to
Messrs H and J Simmonds at £19 per annum. Also, a freehold modern
business premises of Grocers & Drapers Shop, Post Office and Dwelling
House (now Quiet Waters) let to Mr Robert Howell at £30 per annum. In
addition, ‘two practically similar properties’ each containing four newly
erected Brick and Slated Cottages and Gardens – (now called The Terrace
and Watercress Cottages). They were already tenanted. Mr Robert Franklin
paid an apportioned rent of £4 per annum and the others paid £6 per annum
– today’s landlords please note!
Unexpectedly, 30 copies of the original printing of the village book –
Glimpses of an Oxfordshire Village 1900 - 2000 have been found in
George’s loft and are available from the Secretary - phone 01491 833154.
Carol Sawbridge for The Ewelme Society
The Friends of Ewelme Watercress and
Local Nature Reserve
Since I last wrote, The Friends have supported the Management Team with
two successful events at the centre. The first was the Bioblitz held for 24
hours in mid-July. That was an amazing success, a huge number of species
were identified by the many experts who gave their time. I am sure the
Team will have a report of the event elsewhere in this magazine so I won’t
steal their thunder!
The second event was the Open Evening on 10 August. It was a beautiful
evening and those who came had a really enjoyable time; the sad thing was
that so few members of The Friends or locals came. The event and
refreshments were free and the weather was warm, the walk through the
beds was great fun and the talk and slideshow informative. I sometimes
wonder what it is we have to do to get the locals to come and enjoy this
local treasure. The next committee meeting will be on Tuesday 16 October
7:00 pm at The Centre - open to all members.
The Management work days are the first Saturday in the month and we are
always in need of more pairs of hands. We work from 9:00 am until 1:00
pm with a break for coffee and cake. We really do need more help to keep
the Site in good order and we would be grateful for any help on these
Saturdays. If you can’t do a whole morning, you will be made welcome for
whatever time you can give.
SAVE THE DATE: Saturday 26 January 2013 at 7:00 pm The Annual
Quiz and Supper. This event is always popular and sells out very quickly.
Numbers have to be limited so if you are thinking of coming, book early. It
is a fun evening with a quiz and a two course hot supper. The teams are six
to a table but don’t be put off if you don’t know enough people to make up
a team, there are always tables who are short of numbers. This event is the
main fund-raising event for The Friends.
Vern Miners – Chair of The Friends, email - vminers@hotmail.co.uk or
telephone 01491 838849
The Oxfordshire LINk
Oxfordshire LINk carries out surveys on post-natal maternity services and
has teamed up with Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny
Committee to carry out a survey of post-natal maternity services in
Oxfordshire. Post-natal services are those services used after birth
including breast feeding clinics, the Newborn Screening Programme,
Neonatal Unit, Special Care Baby Unit, Birth Afterthoughts, and Health
Visitors. If you have any comments about these services please contact the
LINk office. If you have any spare time and would like to be part of the
project group to help with research please contact the LINk office.
Telephone 01865 883488 or email link@oxonrcc.org.uk
Oxfordshire LINk: Your voice on health and social care in Oxfordshire.
As a member of the public you have a right to be involved in decisions
about health and social care services in Oxfordshire. You can influence the
way services are run by sharing experiences and ideas with your Local
Involvement Network (LINk). The LINk finds out what people like and
dislike about their services and feeds this information back to health and
social care providers, helping them to plan and deliver better services
which reflect the wishes of local people. The more people who get
involved in the LINk, the stronger and more influential we are. Please
contact the LINk for more information. Web www.oxfordshirelink.org.uk
Words of wisdom!
Bill Gates is the second richest man in the world! These comments should
be posted in every school or child's bedroom. Love him or hate him, he
certainly hits the nail on the head with this!!!
Bill Gates recently gave a speech at a High School in the States about
eleven (11) things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about
how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of
youngsters with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for
failure in the real world.
Rule 1 : Life is not fair - get used to it!
Rule 2 : The world doesn’t care about your self-esteem. The world will
expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about
yourself.
Rule 3 : You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You
won’t be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4 : If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5 : Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents
had a different word for burger flipping, they called it opportunity.
Rule 6 : If you mess up, it’s not your parents’ fault, so don’t whine about
your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7 : Before you were born, your parents weren’t as boring as they are
now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and
listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you
save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent’s generation, try
delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8 : Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life
HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they’ll
give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This
doesn’t bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9 : Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and
very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do
that in your own time.
Rule 10 : Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to
leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11 : Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one!
If you can read this - thank a teacher. If you can read this in English - thank
a soldier! And for life and everything else you have - thank whichever God
you prefer!!
Taken from the internet
The Elm Club
Ufton, a beautiful Labrador retriever, and also a very laid back Guide dog
for the Blind, came to visit us with his ‘guardian’, Lyn, in July. Lyn
regaled us with tales of several guide dogs, all with their own personalities,
that have figured in her life. We were stunned to learn that, after several
years of resistance, she decided to get her own dog to help her find her way
around and taught him herself. That was quite a while ago and, since then,
she has had several dogs through Guide Dogs for the Blind.
On an unusually warm
and sunny day in August,
we were picked up by the
‘Elizabeth’ coach with
driver, Harvey, and his
German Shepherd dog,
Ferney, for our outing to
the Cotswold Wildlife
Park near Burford. What
a wonderful place it is for
adults, children and even
dogs. Several of our
members had either been
there many years ago with
their children or more
recently with grandchildren. The Park covers
quite a large area but
there are plenty of
benches at various points
and even a little train to
make life easier for those
Margaret Blake, Margaret Donaldson and Caroline
Francis enjoying a break with ice-creams!
not wanting to walk too far. Exotic plants abound mixed in with the animal
enclosures. The clever planting was most interesting and complementary.
We were entertained by penguins, monkeys and meerkats whilst admiring
the majestic giraffe from an elevated walkway and gazing at the white
rhinos grazing peacefully with zebras on the lawns in front of the house.
Some of us took picnics while others enjoyed lunch in the cafeteria. After a
welcome ice cream or cool drink we returned to the village in airconditioned comfort.
We have a talk on the magical herb, aloe vera, in September followed, on
Thursday 11 October, by our anniversary lunch this year being held at the
Waterfront Café. I already have a list of names of those keen to attend but,
if others would like to join us that I don’t know about, please ring me to let
me know so that I can get you booked in and arrange transport, if
necessary.
We have been welcoming new members this year and would love to see
more senior villagers at our meetings on the second Thursday of each
month at 2:30 pm in the village hall where there is always a theme plus a
very good afternoon tea.
Trisha Scott, publicity, Ewelme Elm Club: 01491 834734 or
email trisha.watercress@hotmail.co.uk
EWELME HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
SKITTLES
EVENING
Saturday 6 October 2012
at 7:00 pm promptly
Ewelme Village Hall
Tickets £8.00 each
(which includes a free
hot meal)
Bar available!
All ages and abilities welcome!
Prizes for the luckiest players!
Children’s tournament!
Tickets essential and available in advance from
Cynthia Winfield, 01491 835687 and
Angela Harrison, 01491 834111
Ewelme Watercress Beds Local
Nature Reserve
On the first Sunday of
the month The Centre is open for a guided
walk alongside the Watercress Beds and
through the Nature Reserve with our
knowledgeable, volunteer guides
7 Oct, 4 Nov, 2 Dec
Please be at the Watercress Centre for 10:30 am
DVD of old watercress industry, photo, and tools
display
Adults £3 - Friends of the Watercress Beds and
accompanied children free
Booking is not required.
No dogs allowed, except guide dogs and sensible footwear is
advisable
“Friends of Ewelme Church” Charity invite
you to hear
DR JONATHAN FOYLE
Presenter of the BBC2 fifteen part
series “Climbing Great Buildings”
Chief Executive, World Monuments Fund Britain, formerly Curator
of Historic Buildings Hampton Court and Kew Palaces, architectural
historian, broadcaster and advocate for historic sites
A talk entitled
“Henry V111
V111 : A life of building from
Ewelme to Windsor”
Friday October 12 in St Mary’s Church
at 7:30 (doors open 6:45)
Tickets £15 in advance only
to include a glass of wine.
Note that tickets are limited and available in the village
shop, from Chips Gell tel 01491 825826
or Jill Butchart tel 01491 837545
Friends of
Ewelme Church
Charity reg no 1138727
We’re looking for more Members !
Please consider becoming a Member and support the efforts to raise funds
to ensure the future historic and architectural heritage that is the church of
St Mary the Virgin.
You don’t have to be a member of the congregation or even a resident of
the parish – just having an interest in securing the future of the building for
the benefit of future generations is enough.
You can become a Life Member with a minimum single
subscription of £100 or an Annual Member for a minimum
of £10. Application forms can be seen on our website:
www.friendsofewelmechurch.co.uk
or by e-mail to Deborah Whitfeld (whitfeld@dsl.pipex.com)
or Jill Butchart (butchart@santonsltd.co.uk)
The Charity is independent of the Diocese and Parochial Church
Council and the Trustees are responsible for allocation of funds for
projects which they wish to support........................
DO HELP US IF YOU CAN !!
Village Diary
All events are in Ewelme Village Hall unless stated otherwise.
25 Sep - Watercress Management Committee at The Centre at 7:00 pm
30 Sep - Choral Evensong at Ewelme Church at 4:00 pm
6 Oct - Watercress beds workday at The Centre from 9:30 am
Skittles Evening for all the family starting at 7:00 pm
7 Oct - Harvest Festival at Ewelme Church at 9:45 am
Watercress beds open morning at The Centre from 10:30 am
10 Oct - Parish Council meeting starting at 7:30 pm
11 Oct - Elm Club anniversary lunch at The Waterfront, Benson
12 Oct - Dr Jonathan Foyle speaking in Ewelme Church at 7:30 pm
Silent auction for the golf at Huntercombe closes at midnight
16 Oct - The Friends of the Watercress Beds at The Centre at 7:00 pm
3 Nov - Watercress beds workday at The Centre from 9:30 am
4 Nov - Watercress beds open morning at The Centre from 10:30 am
11 Nov- Remembrance Service at Ewelme Church at 10:50 am
14 Nov- Parish Council meeting starting at 7:30 pm
15 Nov- Elm Club meets at 2:30 pm
The cover picture is of a superb piece of very detailed artwork by Matilda
Morley that rightly won the prestigious President’s Choice Junior Prize at
the Annual Village Show.
Other photographs: Teddy bear by The Editor; Reading and the Kennet
and Avon Canal by Terry Allsop; Bioblitz netting and the Pussmoth
Caterpillar by Tom Stevenson; Elm Club outing by Trisha Scott.
Copy date for the next edition of the
Ewelme News is
Friday 2 November
Please send by email to pjlemaire@aol.com or
post to Firethorn Cottage (opposite Suffolk House)