The results are in from our written consultation on how best to spend the
Section 106 money. At the time of writing, we are due to hold an
in-person session in the village hall where we will discuss the ideas put
forward. The list shows the number of votes for each idea received, with the
purchase of the former Gardiner Arms skittle alley and function room a firm
favourite, along with many votes for a skate park or bike park and an
exercise trim trail around the field:
We have been informed that the dog waste bin in the Jubilee Garden will be
returned in the week beginning 21 November. We are still working on
providing a new one for Ashwell Bank/Crecy Hill.
Flooding
The catchment study is yet to be done, but we continue to remind
Oxfordshire County Council that this study is essential if we have any hope
of reducing flooding in the future — and to avoid the kind of damage that
was caused to several homes two years ago.
We will be taking advice on how to stock up on sandbags so residents can be
prepared if we have further torrential rain.
Heath Work Parties
Thank you to the Heath Subcommittee, and all others
who volunteered their help, for the work done to keep the paths as open as
possible this summer. There will a be another session open to all on Sunday,
11 December.
Fireworks
This year’s firework night was a huge success, thanks to the Scout Group
Fireworks Committee, with a wonderful display, warming bonfire and great
food and drinks. The total raised came to just under £3,500, which will be
spent on activities for young people in the Scout group.
We hope that by continuing to have a professionally organised event in the
village, fewer people will feel the need for fireworks in their gardens
during the weeks either side of 5 November, reducing the disturbance
for people, pets and wildlife.
Remembrance Sunday
The Remembrance parade was well attended this year by residents and the
Scout group. The village wreath was laid by former serviceman Keith
McDonough, the Scout wreath by Alex Marshall, and Rosie Hawes laid one on
behalf of Tackley WI. There were thoughtful readings from
our community, not only reminding us of the historic sacrifices made to
preserve the freedoms we enjoy today, but also giving thoughts for those
currently suffering in conflicts around the world.
In the evening, Rev Sue Spankie led the service of Remembrance at St
Nicholas’ Church, with a moving sermon and readings from members of the
church community. The wreath was laid by John Cooper.
Tackley Parish Council would like to wish everyone in the village a
peaceful Christmas.
Lighting of the Christmas Tree
Dawn Chambers, Tree on the Green Committee
The annual lighting of the Christmas tree on The Green will take place on
Sunday, 4 December at 4:30 pm. Following the carols and tree
lighting, mulled wine and mince pies will be served and the church bells
will ring. A collection will be made on the night to cover costs, so please
come prepared and give generously, because this is our only source of
income.
Sadly this may be the last lighting of the tree due to health and safety
regulations, which dictate that we must find a more compliant electrical
supply for the tree in future. Are you able to help with this?
Finally: the current committee are all getting quite senior, and have been
running this event for years. We would really like to pass the baton to a
new committee. Could that include you? We would happily work with the new
committee to ensure a smooth transition. Please come and speak to us on the
night or email
dawntackley@hotmail.com.
There was a theft from the Forest School area within Tackwell Spinney
during the half term period. It appears that someone went into the Spinney,
at the edge of the playing field, and decided to remove the hanging chain
from the tripod and cooking grill that is used by the Scouts and Forest
School for cooking over the camp fire.
The culprits obviously weren’t interested in the grill and tripod, but just
the chain: they would have had to unhook it and feed it through the pulley
system to remove it. And there is a locked gate, so anyone entering would
have had to climb the fence. I find it very disappointing that anyone living
in Tackley would do this. They obviously knew it was there, but did not care
what impact this would have on the younger members of the village.
The chain was around two metres long, with three branches and hooks on one
end. If anyone has seen it anywhere, we would be interested to hear from
them.
The Spinney at the edge of the playing field is private property, and the
Scouts and Forest School have special permission and insurance to use and
maintain this area for teaching purposes.
We may not have reindeer, but of the six species of deer found in the UK,
three can be seen on the heath and around Tackley: muntjac, roe and fallow.
Muntjac, also known as barking deer because of their dog-like calls, are
originally from China and were introduced or escaped from private
collections in the early 20th century. They are small and hunched with a
wide, flat tail. Unlike roe and fallow deer, muntjac breed throughout the
year — and in recent weeks there have been several fawns up on the
heath.
Muntjac by John Reynolds
Roe deer are common in Tackley, and you often see them in the fields
bordering the heath. They are a slender, medium-sized deer, with short
antlers and no tail. Mostly brown in colour, they turn more reddish in the
summer and darker grey in winter. They have a pale buff patch around the
rump. One of the truly native deer of the UK, records of roe deer date back
to 10,000 BC.
Roe buck by John Reynolds
The ornamental fallow deer were first brought to Britain from the western
Mediterranean by the Romans. These deer went extinct after the collapse of
the Roman Empire, and it wasn’t until the 11th century that the Normans
reintroduced them. They often have a distinctive black inverted horseshoe
shape on their rumps, a black stripe on their tails, and large angular ears.
There are several small herds around Tackley, including some leucistic or
white individuals.
The conservation work on the heath has continued, with huge thanks to the
Tackley Cubs who have done a wonderful job clearing a large experimental
patch. We would also like to thank the volunteers who have come to the work
parties and helped keep the paths open.
The committee has been looking into whether we should improve the parking
alongside the heath, and we have had a quote of £9,500 to put in some
hardstanding. However, there has also been concern raised that improving the
parking might be to the heath’s detriment. If you have any views either way,
we would love to hear from you.
Join us at either or both of our work parties on Sunday, 11 December
and Saturday, 28 January between 10 am and 1 pm — even for
just an hour. We promise a workout! Wear gloves, and bring shears or loppers
if you can. Follow the markers to find where we are working, either from the
entrance off Fox Hill or footpath from Ball Lane.
Poppy Appeal
Sue Pitts
A total of £1,014 was raised in the village by this year’s Poppy
Appeal.
This includes the church collection from the Remembrance Day service, the
collection from the village hall memorial service, and a donation from the
parish council for their wreaths.
Thank you to the shop and pubs for having collection boxes; and also to the
school, where children on the school council gave up their break times to
sell items from an activity box. You have all helped to raise an amazing
total.
Thanks to everyone who gave so generously, and a special thank-you to the
volunteers who gave their time to help me at the village hall on the two
Saturday mornings.
Advent Trail
Debbie Gould
Tackley PTA invites you to enjoy this year’s supersized village advent
calendar. A new festive display will be revealed each day throughout
December.
The season begins with our Christmas fair in the village hall on Saturday,
3 December from 2 to 4 pm. We hope you can come along and help us
raise funds for the upkeep of the church.
At Christmas we remember the reason for the season: the birth of Jesus. We
hope that many of you will join us as we celebrate with carols and
readings.
We held a successful open afternoon in September, and the Tackley Trail –
with a guided walk around Tackley Park – in October. It was great to see so
many of you there, including some new members and visitors.
On Monday, 23 January we are pleased to welcome Charmian Knight, who
lives in Tackley, to give us a talk on Open Fields to Enclosure: The
Farming Revolution in Tackley. If you have not been to any of our
talks yet, do come and give us a try. We meet in Tackley Village Hall at
7:45 for 8 pm. Tea and coffee are served beforehand, and you are
welcome to stay at the end for a glass of wine and a chat.
As well as the talks, we have several projects – some already started, and
others planned – including:
Recording Tackley: preserving memories and experiences
Tackley’s Roman mosaic: this has been donated to the village, and needs
to be displayed
Houses Through Time
North Leigh & Tackley Roman Trail
Field walking
Since you have read this far, perhaps you might like to join us!
As you can see, we are a thriving, friendly and hardworking group — and
with all these projects ongoing, we feel we now need a vice-chair to join
the committee. Would you like to be involved? For more information and a
friendly chat, please contact John Perkins at
jperkins@brookes.ac.uk.
Another year is nearly over, and we are gradually getting back to normal.
Most of you will have put bulbs in and got the garden ready for the winter.
Don’t forget to leave some of it wild: let the worms drag in the leaves, and
leave safe havens for insects and bugs under leaves and remaining plants and
weeds. Spring is a much better time for a cleanup, when the weather is
warmer again.
We start 2023 with our AGM on Tuesday, 17 January, accompanied by a
quiz, cheese and wine.
May I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year, with
special thanks to everyone who helps me out with arrangements, emails,
printing, refreshments and more. See you in January.
Thank you to everyone who supported our fundraising coffee morning in
November, and to the Methodist Church for kindly allowing us to use their
building.
On Tuesday, 6 December at 7:45 for 8 pm in the village hall we
have our Christmas craft evening. Rosie will be teaching us how to make a
Christmas tree by folding a book, accompanied by mulled wine and mince pies.
Visitors are welcome for £5 which includes refreshments and a raffle
ticket.
We take a break in January and return on the first Tuesday of each month
thereafter for speakers, crafts, chat and friendship. We hope more women of
all ages from the village will join us in 2023. In the meantime, Tackley WI
wishes you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Our leisurely walks offer everyone a friendly way to get to know the
Oxfordshire countryside better. We meet at Tackley Village Hall at the
times given to arrange transport to the start of each walk. There’s no
obligation to car share, but there isn’t always enough parking for every
person to drive individually. Face masks are advised for car sharing while
Covid infection rates are high. Distances are approximate, and all walking
is at participants’ own risk.
Saturday, 14 January at 9:30 am: Islip–Noke–Woodeaton.
Circular walk from Islip via Noke and Woodeaton. 5 miles.
Wednesday, 25 January at 2 pm: Broughton’s moated castle.
Field and parkland paths, tracks, and some roads. Rolling farmland and
parkland to the south west of Banbury. There are stiles on this walk.
2¾ miles.
Saturday, 11 February at 9:30 am:
Charlbury–Fawler–Stonesfield. This route starts outside the Bell Inn,
Charlbury and passes along the edge of Cornbury Park to Fawler and
Stonesfield. The return to Charlbury is via the Salt Way and Woodstock
Way. 7 miles, or a shorter route of 2½ miles which returns
along the Oxfordshire Way from Fawler directly to Charlbury.
Tackley PALs (People Against Litter) is a voluntary group set up in 2015 by
Dave and Judy Robson. Alan and I took it on last year.
We have several dedicated people working to keep our village free of
litter, but we need more. We provide gloves, litter grabbers, bags, and
hi-vis vests.
We hold general litter picks on Saturday mornings, approximately six times
a year, but we are happy to organise them at other times if it means we will
get more volunteers. We do the main roads in pairs, and it can be a great
social activity.
Litter is unsightly, and reduces our pride and enjoyment of public spaces.
Some is dangerous to wildlife and can suffocate or strangle birds or
mammals. And litter can often take many years to degrade in the
environment:
Plastic bottles can last indefinitely. We find lots of these on the
playing field and along the main roads.
Aluminium cans last from 80 to 100 years. When the grass verges are
cut at the end of summer, the cans within the grass are cut to pieces,
causing sharp edges that are dangerous to wildlife.
Nappies can last 80 to 100 years.
Plastic bags, such as those purchased at supermarkets, last between 10
and 20 years.
Cigarette butts, orange peel, banana skins and apple cores can last up
to two years.
So, when you see a litter pick advertised, usually via Tackley Notices
emails or on Facebook, do please consider joining us. We will welcome you
with open arms.
