Tackley Newsletter
February & March 2019

Contents

Parish Council

tackleyvillage.co.uk

Members

The clerk is Janette Read.

Meetings

The next formal meeting of the council is on 11 February followed by a surgery on 25 February, both at 7 pm. Should there be matters of concern between these dates please contact the parish clerk or councillors.

Draft minutes of all parish council meetings appear on the website two weeks after the date of the meeting. See there, also, some personal details of your councillors.

Copies of this report are also circulated via Tackley Notices.

Road Closures

Notice of the following road closures has been circulated.

Nethercote Road will be closed between 09:00 and 15:30 between 1 April and 4 April for the installation of low voltage cable. Parking will be affected. A map showing the details of the closure can be seen on the door of the village shop.

St John’s Road will be closed from 18 February up to and including 22 February. This closure is in force 24 hours per day. Access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and for those frontages within the closure area, subject to the progress of the works and liaison with the works supervisor.

Developers’ Lorries

Your parish council is aware of, and shares residents’ concerns about building site traffic. We are continuing to monitor these concerns which have been raised with the relevant authorities at the county and district councils. It is suggested that residents becoming aware of such occurrences should contact the county highways department directly, at the same time copying any written communication sent or received to the parish clerk.

Parking

With the prospect of 100 new houses comes the possibility of 250 or more new cars in our village in the near future. We must think very carefully about where we park. The older parts of the village were built in the days before cars were invented or when people had fewer cars! We must all park considerately and think where we can park if our house doesn’t have off-road parking. If your house has a garden with road frontage it may be possible to make a space. You can, by contacting OCC highways, have the kerb dropped outside your house; there is a fee for doing this. If you live in a rented house seek your landlord’s permission first. If a neighbour has no car but a driveway, would they be willing for a small fee or the offer of some ‘jobs’ or lift sometimes to allow you to park? If you live in a house with no off-road parking think twice about having two, three, or four cars with nowhere to put them.

Resident parking is not the norm in the memorial hall car park. There have been occasions recently when there has been a function at the memorial hall or school where the car park has been full to capacity and drivers have had to park along Medcroft Road. It is the only access to our shop for delivery lorries and we need to give them space too.

At the moment there are a few people who have asked to park there because they are affected by the building works. This is a temporary, short-term measure. Over the years there has always been a parking permit issued by the parish council to allow some residents to park there. Can you remind the clerk if you have a permit. If you don’t, then please write to her and your request will be considered at the next PC meeting.

The only way forward is to think very carefully: if you buy an additional car, where are you intending to park it? If you have one or two already, be very considerate in where you park them, and please please please don’t park on the pavements or near junctions.

Nature Reserve

We would like to thank the Oxford Conservation Volunteers for scrub clearing on Sunday, 28 January; Barbie for cooking everyone sausage rolls; and our one gallant family who came to help.

Back in 1996 our village took control of a two-acre plot of land at Crecy Hill to create a nature reserve. For some years, a group of residents along with some of the Colliers’ cows kept the reserve in good shape. Unfortunately over that last decade some of those who were enthusiastic have grown older, died, or moved from the village. At the moment it is sadly in need of care and attention. The main task is scrub clearance, as the brambles and bushes are taking over and not allowing the plants underneath to flourish, or the cows to graze. The Oxford Conservation Volunteers come when they can, but unfortunately there is a distinct lack of volunteers to help them. Please can we have more? It is a beautiful spot and armed with tough gloves and sensible shoes anyone can help. It can be fun and very rewarding.

The next day planned for this work is 3 March, when hopefully the weather will be warmer. There are jobs to do at any time of year. Please come, bring your family and help.

Noticeboards

The parish council noticeboards by the school and at the junction of Medcroft and Nethercote Roads are to be replaced, the former probably not until building work around that area has been completed.

Dog Waste Bins

The council is aware that some of the dog waste bins around the village are becoming very full; it is possible they are not being emptied properly. If you see an overflowing bin, please contact West Oxfordshire District Council.

Hedges Growing Over Pavements

There are still hedges and outcrops of plants growing over and obstructing pathways. Please have a look at yours.

Performing Arts Evening

Les Summers on behalf of the Village Hall Committee

Over the years the Tackley Village Memorial Hall (TVMH) Committee has pursued a pretty successful programme of village events, some of which it has organised itself, and for others providing the venue. In the latter instance the panto, revue and Christmas wassail stand out as having been particularly well received. The 2018 wassail is likely to be the last such event as the choir has now stopped meeting. There also will be no panto in 2019, although I understand that another revue seems likely in March or April. These changes leave a ‘hole’ in the autumn–winter period for which, in 2019, no home-grown activity is programmed.

The committee considers that there is a place for a fixture that is rather different: a performing arts evening, in which the accent is on somewhat different kinds of performance. There are many organisations in Tackley and the surrounding area that cater for drama, contemporary dance, orchestral or small ensemble group music, and choral performance; and indeed, individuals who are instrumental soloists or have dramatic skills. Bringing such groups and individuals together would provide a different form of entertainment for Tackley, thereby extending the range of what we do for ourselves — and as a village we are almost uniquely good at community activity. We see it as essentially requiring adult performers, though it does not have to be exclusively so. Additional add-ons such as small exhibitions might also be possible.

To avoid any clash with other events, a date in autumn 2019 seems appropriate, as this would make it complimentary to a revue in the spring. While the TVMH Committee would wish to be in overall control and direction of the event, we do not have the resources to undertake all the organisation required. We hope to set up a subcommittee under the chair of a management committee member, which would be specifically charged with the organisational arrangements. To be most effective the subcommittee ought to consist, in the main, of representatives of the groups showing an interest. There are lots of things to consider — not just facilitating the performers, but organising technical crews, front-of-house people and bar staff — most important!

The purpose of this article is to see what interest there would be from those wishing to take part, at this stage, performers in the main. If, as an individual or the representative of a group you would like to register an interest please do so by emailing [removed from archive version]. In the next newsletter we will give an update on the result of this appeal and, if the interest is there, move on to the formation of a subcommittee.

Christmas Tree on The Green

The Christmas Tree Committee

The committee would like to thank everyone who came to the lighting-up event and carols around the tree. It was good to see so many people, and thank you all for your generous donations.

Special thanks go to the Gate House for the electricity supply, the mince pie suppliers, Tony and Joan Wilson for the use of their AGA, Pierre Macke for the publicity posters, Dane Walker for playing the piano, Geoff Hunter for his prayers and also to the very kind benefactor who bought this year’s tree.

After our appeal for everyone to dig deep, because we thought we would have to buy a tree, we collected £297 which is amazing — thank you. As we had such a good collection, we will make donations to various organisations in the village and let you know where the money has gone.

Another thank-you to the seven villagers who donated their rooted Christmas trees. They are now planted at Wood Farm and will hopefully grow into good strong trees, for the next generation committee!

Join us at the same time of 4:30 pm on Sunday, 8 December 2019.

We Are Pleased to Announce

John Newton

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again appropriately reopened our Features screenings after our enforced two-month hiatus and was a lovely start to our 2019 programme.

Next up is another uplifting, likably daft film in which a motley group of blokes stave off their midlife crises by forming a synchronised swimming team. Unbelievably it is based on a true story about men competing in the synchronised swimming world championships; some have called it ‘The Full Monty in Speedos’. I hope we will get another good crowd.

Another uplifting moment was receiving an email inquiring whether Features could be hired to screen a film. So it seems a good time to mention that as well as our regular monthly screenings our equipment can be hired by emailing [removed from archive version] to make a truly unique special day.

Methodist Church

Vi Banbury

May we take this opportunity to remind readers that our weekly coffee morning continues on Thursdays from 10 am, and we welcome anyone to join us. It’s a chance to have a chat over a cup of tea or coffee, and there’s a bring-and-buy stall as well so you might pick up a bargain.

A few months ago we were approached by the Baptist church at Kidlington asking if we would be interested in collecting items for their food bank. We readily agreed and they have been very grateful for the items we collect as, sadly, there is a very real need for this support in our area.

Messy Church is lively as ever with games, a variety of activities, informal worship and food. We would be delighted to welcome anyone to join us — the next dates are Saturdays 2 February and 2 March.

St Nicholas’ Church

Rev Marcus Green

Tackley Praise

Thanks to all who came to our two Tackley Praise services last term! These after-school services for all ages have been really well received. This term we celebrate saints: St Francis on 7 February will be a celebration of creation, and we will bless pets and animals! The school as ever will help us organise exactly how this is done. We are hoping to see lots of creative participation. And on 14 March, in between St David’s Day and St Patrick’s Day, we will celebrate all our Patron Saints — St George and St Andrew as well. Think flags and colour, but also: do you know what other countries these saints are patron of? Or what organisations claim them? Come and find out! Both events will be quite short, full of song and a chance for everyone to join in, and will start around 3:30 pm.

Sunday mornings

From 24 February we will see the return of a Sunday morning service at St Nicholas’. On the last Sunday of each month, there will be a 9:30 am family communion service. Many thanks to Richard Bailey, lay minister in the benefice, who is going to look after the service at North Aston on these Sundays so that I can come and be in Tackley for the last Sunday morning in every month. The service in March falls on Mothering Sunday, so that’s a perfect time for everyone to come and join us. I hope lots of families will enjoy our worship, and will find it a good time to come and be part of God’s family together. Everyone is welcome — to this and to any of our other evening services on other weeks at 5:30 pm!

Electoral Roll

Tackley has both a civil and a church electoral roll. The church electoral roll is basically about those who regard themselves as belonging to church life. Qualifications are simple: are you an Anglican, do you live in the parish of Tackley, and do you habitually attend worship with us? Some folk come from other traditions or live outside the parish and yet attend regularly; that’s fine, you are very welcome to be on our electoral roll! Being on this list allows people to vote at church annual congregational meetings and to stand for the parochial church council (PCC), but much more than that — it is a statement of commitment to our church life together. Commitment is very meaningful: a church warden (for example) is a volunteer from this list who gives enormous amounts of time and energy, and the diocese works out how much parish share we have to pay them (this year £19,000) in part by counting our electoral roll. We are therefore very grateful to everyone who belongs!

Every six years we make a completely new roll, and this is happening in February. Sue Giles is our Electoral Roll officer, and Sue Lygo our PCC Secretary. They will handle this, and if you would like to be on the roll, please fill in a form and return it to one of them, even if you’ve been on before. There will be two forms, available in the church: the electoral roll form, and a GDPR form; the latter will allow the church to keep your details so we can contact you about any parish events, following last year’s changes in data protection law. Thank you.

Lent

Lent starts late this year, as Easter falls just about as far into April as it can be. Ash Wednesday will be on 6 March, with a service in North Aston at 7:30 pm. Our usual Lent course follows, joining with all three benefice churches and our Methodist friends. At the time of writing, I don’t yet have the details, so do keep your eyes and ears open, and please join us as we begin to prepare for Easter!

Local History Group

John Perkins

We are now half way through this year’s programme of Monday evening talks. Still to come:

Talks are in the village hall and start at 8 pm.

Gibraltar Point Dig

We have now closed the site down until the spring and will be spending the next three months cleaning and identifying the finds we have made and submitting them for expert analysis. The site still has secrets to reveal so we will be starting a third season of excavations in April. We plan to have an exhibition in the village hall in May about the work we have done so far which indicates that the site was occupied at various times over at least a thousand years from the early Iron Age to after the end of the Roman Empire.

Mosaic

We are preparing a detailed set of proposals for re-siting the Roman mosaic uncovered at Street Farm, which we will present in late February to the village and for the parish council to consider at their meeting in March.

Tackley Through Time

If you haven’t yet done so, don’t forget to go and see this exhibition of the history of our village in the church. It is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm. Copies of the booklet associated with the exhibition are available in the village shop priced £8.

Paths and Historic Sites

This interactive map, compiled by Neil Wilson and Martin Edwards, shows paths and bridleways in and around the village and the historic sites to be found near them. It can be found on our website.

Donation

We are very grateful to the organisers of the Christmas tree celebrations on The Green who have generously donated £100 to the history group’s various projects.

Gardening Club

Mary Lee

Our year started with our AGM and slides by Sue Ashton of our visit to Batsford Arboretum last autumn. We will be returning there in April to see the spring bulbs and blossom. The minutes of the last AGM were read by Gill Lawrence and the financial statement by Carole Broome. Sue Ashton is happy to continue with posters and publicity, for which we are very grateful. The committee remains the same and we have a full schedule for the year ahead with speakers, trips and the annual show.

If you have not been before, please come and join us — we’re very friendly! Annual membership is £10, which gives you 10% discount at Yarnton Nurseries, or come as a visitor for £2.

Walking Group

Linda Birch

Meet at Tackley Village Hall at 10 am to arrange car sharing; please contact the walk leader if you would rather meet at the start of the walk. Some walks conclude with lunch at a local pub or cafe; please contact the walk leader if you will be joining the group for lunch. Most walks are circular. All walking is at your own risk.

Thank You

Gill Lawrence

Geoffrey and I would like to thank everyone who sent cards, flowers and kind messages for my speedy recovery.

War Memorials

Julian Whitehead

I feel sure everyone will agree that the new memorial on the village hall is a very fitting tribute to the Tackley men who died in the two world wars. It was most appropriate that it was unveiled on the hundredth anniversary of the Armistice and placed outside the village’s war memorial hall.

The new memorial is rightly positioned in the heart of the village for all to see but it would be a pity if the village forgot the memorial erected by a previous generation, and perhaps out of everyday sight, in St Nicholas’ Church. The bronze war memorial in the church shows those who fell in the First World War, and below it is the list of those who died in the Second World War together with the roll of honour of Tackley men who served. Above it is a well-polished brass cross and two vases, which always have fresh flowers, and to the right is the annual wreath of poppies from the village. Beside it on the window ledge is the specially-produced book on the lives of Tackley men who died. Almost equally poignant is the white War Graves Commission headstone near the church door. This is the grave of Private E. W. Broomfield of the Worcestershire Regiment who died on 12 November 1918, the day after Armistice.

This is not the only war memorial in the church. The most impressive is the roof and clerestory (upper windows) built in 1415 by Lady Elizabeth Wilcotes in memory of her son Thomas who died of wounds at Agincourt.

Of course the church is much older than that and goes back to before the Norman Conquest when its patron was the steward of Edward the Confessor. There is so much history to be found in the church including the aumbry memorial and display board for the 42 men, women and children from Tackley who drowned in the 1845 Cataraqui disaster, and the History Group’s excellent Tackley Through Time exhibition in the south porch. The church exists for the village, so if you haven’t visited recently, do come and have a look round this thousand-year-old record of village life.

A Personal View of the New Tackley War Memorial

L. A. (Les) Summers

It is with some trepidation that I set down a very personal view on the subject of the new Tackley War Memorial, but I cannot let what has been said in support of it pass without suggesting that there is an alternative view which references, not only the past but the present and the future. Let me be clear that I have no wish to belittle anything that has been said or written by Richard Holland-Oakes actually after the service in the village hall on 11 November, or in the last edition of this newsletter. Nor do I want to resurrect the arguments about the siting of the memorial or the matter of its security; for good or bad those issues have been settled.

It has been stated that the names of the fallen were not recorded except on an old wooden plaque. In fact the names are in St Nicholas’ Church and the ‘old wooden plaque’ was displayed in the village hall until very recently, when it was removed for refurbishment that, sadly, was found to be unviable. True, the names were not displayed outside in the open, but for 100 years the people of Tackley, including the families of those who died, have been happy to regard the village hall as The Tackley War Memorial. What has changed to make a plaque of this design so necessary?

The problem with the new plaque is that the philosophy behind it is mistaken. To erect a war memorial designed in the form of one made in 1918, or even 1945, is to forget that war did not end in 1945. The Order of Service for Remembrance Day now includes the phrase ‘other conflicts’ which is intended to acknowledge the war in Korea, at Suez, in the Middle East and South East Asia, in the Falklands, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan where men are still dying, and in Northern Ireland as well. I know that no one from Tackley died in those conflicts because I have investigated that point. But did it occur to anyone else to do that?

It is particularly relevant to the impetus that Richard Holland-Oakes makes for his memorial, that the concept of service is nor far from the concept of sacrifice, and it is that which should also figure on the memorials that are created in the 21st century. Shell shock, a component of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as it is now known, is a living hell quite possibly worse than death itself. Surely the generations of the 21st century owe those who served in the armed forces during any conflict, a recognition that they did so, particularly the not-quite-survivors? More controversially, the names of men shot for desertion who were in fact suffering from PTSD are not usually to be found on war memorials. Now that we know more about these things, is it right to continue that discrimination?

We cannot re-engineer the past, by which I mean, change the facts, but we can, in the light of history, where necessary, change our perception of it. What history shows, most obviously, is that memorials are not an effective warning against war, indeed, they might be seen to be the opposite. The absence of war in Europe since 1945 owes little or nothing to war memorials but to the determination of former enemies to work more closely together.

And there, in a nutshell is the issue for the present day. There is a growing difference between a generation brought up on the legend of a victorious ‘Britain alone’ and younger people, with the advantage of hindsight who understand that there is more to a modern 21st century Britain than constantly referencing the past at its own valuation. Those who grew up in the decaying days of the British Empire may regret its passing and cling to its supposed reputation, but others know that our future wellbeing, in a world becoming more dangerous by the day, demands us to be part of a strong brotherhood of like-thinking people, French, Germans, Austrians, Spanish, Italians, and indeed, others who have, at some time in the recent past, been our enemies. They and we must hang together or we might all hang separately.

How does this reference Tackley’s new war memorial? In the 1920s and mid-20th century, war memorials, understandably, recorded the divisions between the peoples of the world, they demonstrably celebrate the heroism of the British people, which saved freedom and democracy from the fascist dictators. (Very rarely is the contribution of the USA and Russia acknowledged). In 2019, without ignoring the past, we must face the challenges of today and tomorrow with a unity that goes beyond patriotism. Resting on past glories, divided not just from foreign like-thinking peoples, but divided amongst ourselves, delivers us into a vulnerability that potentially destroys the sacrifice of those who served or died. If ‘they gave their todays for our tomorrows’ is to have any meaning for the now, then we should work for the unity of nations, not to emphasise their division. How much more appropriate in 2019 might it have been had the new war memorial declared:

Tackley People
acknowledge with gratitude
those who have served in conflict
in the World Wars
1914–1918 & 1939–1945
and in all the wars since
particularly noting those who died:

[names etc.]

Let the nations of the world
go forward together
in peace and mutual understanding.

Or something like that.