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December 2014
Issue 134
What’s On in Our Villages
We’re Keeping it Monthly!
T
Diary Dates
6th December
Father Christmas
16th December
Christmas Carols
31st December
New Year’s Eve
Party
hank you to all of you to who took the time to send us your
comments on the St Filica newsletter following our request
for feedback last month. We received numerous responses and
the overwhelming majority (100% of you!) wanted us to keep
producing the newsletter monthly. So we will!
As well as enjoying the content, we were also reminded that the newsletter serves as
a source of free advertising for all the events happening in and around the villages.
As one contributor said “W hat many people don’t realise is that the most significant
challenge in the delivery of a successful event is selling the tickets – the Newsletter
provides a terrific vehicle, at no cost to the event organiser, to promote the ticket
sales for their event.”
Many of you came up with some wonderful ideas for regular features. With
restaurant reviews, walks and rides, book reviews, nature notes, and even
Fantastical Fables about Frogs, there were some excellent suggestions. And, as
noted by several of you, with so many interesting people living in the villages, it
would be great to hear some of your stories.
8th January
Parish Council
So with all the superb ideas, now we need to find some volunteers to produce the
articles. I’ll be pestering you all when I see you but, in the meantime, feel free to
volunteer if you can. I’m particularly looking forward to testing out some new
restaurants based on your reviews!
Parish Council
2
Thanks also for the positive comments and the kind words of support. And to the
correspondent who said the format was rather predictable and dull, I promise I will
try harder in 2015!
Recipe
5
In the meantime, I hope you all have a wonderful festive season. Merry Christmas!
Contents
Filkins
Freebies
10
Don Reed
Surgery Roster 11
Notices
12
Sudoku
14
Calendar
16
1
the Clerk, Cris Hoad 01367 860388 or e mail
[email protected] or to one of the
Councillors.
Parish Council
T
he next meetings of the Parish Council will be
held on and Thursday 8th January and Thursday All minutes and agendas are available on the website:
filkins.org.uk or wosweb site for Filkins & Brough5th March at 7.30pm.
ton Poggs Parish Council.
WODC Recycling
Members of the Parish Council: Keith Perry (Chair),
A note from WODC– please remember to put the lid Jeremy Irwin Singer (Vice Chair) , Rob Bohm, Jude
or net over your recycle bins to stop the rubbish
Oliver-Jones. Roger Chitty, Noelle Walsh.
blowing around the village. If you do not have nets
Cris Hoad
you can order them from the WODC website.
Kick about Field
Christmas at Filkins Village Shop
The Parish Council would like to warn all users of the
rder your Christmas fare through your
kick about field to be careful of the uneven surface. I
Community shop and avoid the last-minute
am afraid due to its location the surface has been
attacked by moles and rabbits and there are holes that rush to the shops - we will even deliver to your home
if that helps. You can order turkeys from your local
you could put your foot down.
butcher, Cutlers in Lechlade; pork, bacon and related
We have also noticed that children are damaging the products from Kelmscott; smoked products from
stone wall between the kick about field and the
Upton Smokery; cakes, mince pies, savoury pies and
swimming pool. We would appreciate if parents could tarts from the Country Market in Lechlade; fruit and
control their children and stop them from pulling
vegetables from Carterton Market.
stones from the wall. We cannot afford to constantly
Also don't forget to order your Christmas croissants
repair the damage.
and bread for Christmas Eve, Wednesday 24th,
Village Centre
Saturday 27th and New Year's Eve, Wednesday, 31st
Works have been completed on the refurbishment to December, 2014. While we will stock a limited range
the top floor at the Village Centre. This is now ready of some of these products it helps us considerably if
customers order in advance.
to be let. If anyone is interested please contact
O
Andrew Stibbard at Moore, Allen and Innocent for
more details.
Village Shop
The Parish Council would like to take this opportunity
to congratulate the Shop Committee on their work in
the last year. They announced at their AGM that they
have made a small profit for the first time which is an
achievement. We would urge residents to use the shop
as much as they are able.
Order forms will be available in the Shop from late
November, or you can just ring the shop on 01367
860239, or ring Lynne on 0777 179 3512, or respond
to this email, [email protected].
We will be raffling a Christmas hamper in the shop.
Draw to be made on Saturday20th December.
Our Christmas & New Year opening hours are copied
below.
As we reported at the AGM we have had a bad run of
luck with freezers recently. We have replaced one in
the kitchen but a display freezer for the shop is going
As ever... any thoughts/comments/concerns on
to cost around £1000 and it was suggested that we ask
anything related to the Parish Council please speak to for contributions towards this cost. Indeed a couple of
Information
2
people have already promised a significant donation
and if anyone else feels they can help please make a
donation in the shop or talk to one of the team.
beer and white wine for the next one (7th March of
you have your 2015 diary). Book early as we had to
turn down teams this time.
Morning
Afternoon
Christmas Eve
9am til 1pm
CLOSED
Christmas Day
CLOSED
CLOSED
Boxing Day
CLOSED
CLOSED
Saturday 27th
9am til 1pm
CLOSED
Sunday 28th
CLOSED
CLOSED
Monday 29th
& Tuesday 30th
New Year’s Eve
10am til noon
3 til 5pm
9am til 1pm
CLOSED
Not many places you can go on a Saturday night and
see men doing the washing up! Well done boys……..
New Year’s Day
CLOSED
CLOSED
Cris Hoad
Friday 2nd onwards
As normal
As Normal
The prizes were given out for last and first place- there
is a bonus to coming last a nice box of Jelly Babies.
First place was taken by our usual Quiz Mistress
Mandy Scott and her team of Langfordians.
Thank you to the Dunmall’s, Helen who gave her time
to come up with some great questions and to Phil for
some amazing bar work.
A Message from Ena Constable
I
Thank-you for your custom throughout the year and
we wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a happy
and healthy New Year.
would like to say a big thank you to everybody
who was involved with my surprise presentation at
the dance on the 18th October for my 25 years at the
Post Office.
The Village Shop team
A special thank you to Diane and Hilary who worked
so hard to put the evening together.
Quiz & Curry Night 22nd
November 2014
I will no longer be able to say that Hilary cannot keep
a secret!
W
ell the Village Hall
was packed to the
rafters- 95 people sat down
to enjoy the quiz; many
heads were scratched and
many oohs and aahhs as the
answers were read out. I
would not say it was
competitive (!) but the
rounds were keenly marked
with every half point
Thank you again
Ena Constable
Thank You from Hilary Skinner
H
i, in my Coffee Morning thank you in last
month’s magazine, I forgot to say a big thank
you to Oliver.
He was a great help with our raffle tearing and writing
tickets. Oliver is a great help to us in the shop every
Saturday morning also.
Thank you
Oliver
Mowbray!
counted.
Bilash served a very good curry as usual,
unfortunately, they ran out and had to telephone for
more supplies which arrived very hastily and all were
fed. The bar was very successful- note to self- more
Hilary Skinner
3
Annual Village Celebration of
Christmas
Waste and recycling calendars
Do come and join us for a traditional evening of
Christmas Carols
and miscellaneous readings everyone is welcome.
Please bring a torch
as it will be by candlelight.
If you do not have online access, printed copies are available
from:
Our Elmfield offices or Town Centre Shop in Witney
The Guildhall, Chipping Norton
Carterton Town Hall
Or by calling 01993 861000.
In St Peter's Church Filkins
on Tuesday 16th December at 7 pm
Christmas collection dates are:
Your waste collection calendar dates are on the ‘My West Oxfordshire’ section of www.westoxon.gov.uk
If you have a favourite carol or seasonal reading/poem
you would
like included please let us know in good time!
Diane Blackett - 860504
Sue Ashforth-Smith - 860229
Christmas 2014 - Waste and
recycling information
Christmas trees and festive greenery
From Monday the 5 January real Christmas trees and greenery
such as holly, ivy and wreaths can be put out and recycled with
garden waste.
Place your tree in your garden waste bin, or if it is over 4ft cut it
up and leave beside it. Please remember that all pots and
decorations need to be removed.
You don’t need to be signed up for garden waste collections to do
this - simply leave your tree out on your green collection week.
Please note there are no garden waste collections from
22 December until 5 January.
Over the festive season our crews will collect more
of your recyclable waste
Extra recycling can be put out next to your black recycling boxes
in open cardboard boxes, clear sacks or carrier bags, but not in
black bin liners. Please ensure that there is only one type of recyclable material per box/bag. (For safety, glass must be put inside
recycling boxes.)
Your kitchen caddy and your outside food waste bin can be put
out for collection over Christmas. Don’t forget your food waste
bin can be used for any raw or cooked food waste, such as peelings, bones and meat – ideal for turkey carcasses.
4
Normal collection
Revised date
Thursday 25 December
Monday 29 December
Friday 26 December
Tuesday 30 December
Monday 29 December
No change to date
Tuesday 30 December
No change to date
Wednesday 31 December
No change to date
Thursday 1 January
Friday 2 January
Friday 2 January
Saturday 3 January
Recipe of the Month: Simple Canapés for Christmas
I have had a few requests for some simple, quick and impressive Canapés for serving at Christmas.. So I
have chosen 2 fairly traditional (but with a twist).. the salmon recipe is thanks to Helen Dunmall…and a
new tasty Broad Bean one…Hopefully something to suit everyone! The quantities vary below (I would
do this whole lot for 20-24 people) but you can double/halve recipes to suit.
Smoked Salmon Croustades/Pastry Cases (makes approx. 20)
Ingredients
250g Philadelphia Soft Cheese with Salmon
Pack of Smoked Salmon Slices (min 4)
Small pot Crème Fraiche
Black Pepper
Chives or Dill to decorate
Pack of croustades (small savoury cases) or similar canapé base (you can use mini pastry tarts or cocktail blinis) All available
from Waitrose or local delicatessens.
Method
Turn the soft cheese out into a bowl and mix in a good dollop of crème fraiche. Add a little fresh ground black pepper. Leave in the
bowl or transfer to a piping bag until you need to use it (up to a day in advance).
Cut the smoked salmon into long thin strips then roll up about 1” , cut, then repeat until you have enough whirls of salmon for the
number of croustades you plan to prepare.
Get ahead: Up to an hour before serving spoon or pipe the salmon cream cheese into the cases/blini’s, top with the smoked salmon
and a little chopped chives or dill.
Honey & Mustard Cocktail Sausages
Ingredients
50 cocktail sausages
2 tbsp clear honey
1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
Method
Preheat oven to 180 degrees (Gas 4) and cook the sausages until brown. Drain them on kitchen paper to remove the fat then put them
in a low flat dish.
Mix the honey and mustard and pour over the sausages – mix them well to make sure they are all coated. Add more honey if you
think necessary.
Return to the oven for 15-20 minutes stirring occasionally so they don’t stick.
Get ahead: You can serve them cold but if serving them hot, do the recipe to the end of stage one a few hours earlier and leave covered until you finish the recipe when your guests arrive.
Bruschetta with Broad Beans, Pecorino and Mint Oil
For the Bruschetta
2 small French bread baton (Morrison’s sell great onion batons) or a thin
French bread stick – cut into about 24 small slices.
Olive Oil
For the Topping
7tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 sprig of fresh mint – leaves only, shredded
350g baby broad beans (buy frozen and just let them defrost)
1 garlic clove peeled
5
75g pecorino cheese coarse grated
Juice of ½ lemon & Black Pepper.
Method
To make the bruschetta, spread oil both sides of the bread slices and place in the oven (180 degrees/Gas 4) on a baking tray until
golden – turn over and cook for another few minutes until crisp. Remove and leave to cool.
Place 3 tablespoons of the oil and all the mint in a jug, season.
At this point you can cook the broad beans in boiling water for a few minutes then drain and leave to cool but I would only do this if
using fresh beans – I think that defrosted frozen ones are fine raw!
Place beans in a food processor with the garlic, half the cheese, all the lemon juice and the remaining 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
Blend to a chunky paste.
Spread the mix on the bruschetta and scatter with the remaining pecorino and drizzle with the mint oil. Scatter with lots of black pepper.
Get ahead: You can make the broad bean paste the day before and keep covered in the fridge and finish the recipe an hour or so
before your guests arrive.
Debbie Law
St Filica 2015 Calendar Cover Competition
T
hank you to everyone who entered the competition.. the final choice
was a difficult one but the unanimous decision of the judges was….
Oliver Mowbray – age 13. Oliver wins a cheque for £25.
Well done to Oliver.
Look out for your 2015 Calendar to see the winning design. Also big thanks go to Richard Martin at the Cotswold Woollen Weavers who has very kindly offered to print the Calendar front cover in full colour!
Debbie Law
O
n behalf of Save the Children, I would like to thank those who supported the annual pre-Christmas Sale
in Filkins Village Hall on Friday, 14th November.
Your support was greatly appreciated - whether you helped on the day; donated new or nearly-new goods;
gave a donation; baked for the Refreshments and cake stalls, made preserves, or came along to buy cards, gifts,
calendars or other items.
We raised well over a £1,000 which the government will double and that will make a real and positive difference to the lives of many children at home and abroad.
Thank you and best wishes for the festive season.
Lucille
6
7
of course! The afternoon was spent putting up walls,
replacing roofs and re-felting before putting everything back in, helped along with more coffee and cake.
he morning on the 15th November dawned bright All in all a very successful day.
and clear – well not so bright and not so clear but
at least it wasn’t raining! The call to arms had been
well received and a merry gang (see below) gathered
in Goodfellows Yard to move the St Filica shed.
There had been a last minute change as St Filica has
taken over the tenancy of Hardcastles field where
there is plenty of room not only for the shed but also
additional storage for the chairs, tables & marquee.
This had entailed frantic work during the week by
Frank, Cris & Debbie to organise the flooring and security on the old stables before everything was moved
on Saturday.
The Big Shed Move
T
On the dot of 9am working began, with one team emptying the shed and another transporting the contents to
the field as well as collecting the chairs and tables
from Manor Farm it wasn’t long before we were ready
to dismantle the shed. To ensure our merry gang kept
going coffee and cake were provided (this also ensured no one disappeared!). As the ladies looked on
(apparently we were only there to provide the coffee,
Kevin) the men took down the shed keeping everything crossed that it won’t fall apart.
And now to the thank you’s. A huge thank you must
go to Frank Smith for all the work he did in the days
leading up to the move without him we would never
have got it all done. The merry gang who were: Tony
Woodford, Kevin Robbins, Andy Macer, Rob & Conrad Bohm, Craig Johnson, Andy Hoad, Phil Dunmall,
Robin Higham, Ian Bailey, Cliff (from Trinder Cottage), Charlie Payne, Debbie Law & Cris Hoad. Lastly but very importantly the coffee, lunch and cake providers, Elaine Smith, Helen Dunmall and Nicky Hambidge.
Mary Bohm
Then the transportation of shed to Hardcastles – with
Cris driving and Conrad providing moral support it
was taken very slowly down the 361 (not enough
space to get round the corners in the village). Everyone’s breath was held as it moved going round a corner and a couple of bits fell off – we never did find out
what bits they were – but it all arrive safely.
In the meantime lots of levelling had taken place and
we were ready to re-erect the shed again, after lunch
8
9
Its Free !
Filkins Freebies - One Man’s Trash is Another
Man’s Treasure
H
ave you got some things cluttering up your garage that could be of use to someone else in the village? This page is for you! We will be posting adverts here for
Filkins & Broughton Poggs residents to allow you to “freecycle” any of that stuff you are desperate to get rid
of. If you manage to find something of use, we will invite voluntary donations to the St Filica coffers. So,
send us a brief description and we’ll do our best to help you shift it!
So how does it work? Simply send the details of the stuff you want to shift to [email protected] before the
20th of the month. Make sure you add details of where you can be contacted. We will then publish a small ad
in the Filkins Freebies section. If someone is interested in the things you are advertising, they simply contact
you and you agree how it can be delivered between you. Remember, if you do end up with something of use
through the scheme, make sure a committee member gets any donations you may like to make.
Rules of the game: free stuff only. If you want to sell it, try eBay or Gumtree. St. Filica have nothing to do
with the stuff being offered; its up to the collector to decide if they want it. The editor’s decision in placing an
advert is final - blame me if you’re not happy! If you want to advertise something, we need the details before
the 20th of the month prior to publication. Any donations to St Filica are at your discretion. Pay as little or as
much as you like but remember it all comes back to the villages…
Girls Ski Jacket & Salopettes
Age 12—152cm
Worn Once
Perfect for the Filkins winter!
Contact Don & Amy
Tel: 01367 860 715
Church Services
Sunday 7th December - 6.00pm
Sunday 14th December - 10.30am
Tuesday 16th December - 7.00pm
Christmas Eve 24th December - 4.00pm
Christmas Day 25th December - 10.30am
Every Sunday—3pm
Broughton Poggs Church
Filkins Church
Filkins Church
Filkins Church
Filkins Church
Methodist Church
10
Advent Service
Family Service & Baptism
Village Carols
Crib Service
Family Communion
Roster for Voluntary Car Service to Local Surgeries December 2014
Covering the villages of Filkins, Broughton Poggs, Langford, Little Faringdon, Kencot and Broadwell (All
telephone codes 01367)
Tuesdays
Thursdays
2nd Dec
Mrs K Morley
860777
4th Dec
Mr C Morley
860777
9th Dec
Mrs H Ward
860430
11th Dec
Mr B Swales
860394
16th Dec
Mr A Woodford
860319*
18th Dec
Mrs J Geake
860534
* Denotes a change from the earlier published roster.
Charges: Surgery Runs: Carterton, Lechlade and Burford - £2.50, Fairford and Witney - £5.50
Hospital Runs: Cirencester and Swindon - £9.00, Cheltenham and Oxford - £11.00 (plus parking charge if
paid)
Patients should notify the nominated driver at least 24 hours in advance of their appointment.
The Surgery Service only covers appointments up to 4 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
All users of the service must be able to make their way to and from the car unaided.
For all hospital runs please contact Tony Woodford on 01367-860319.
If unable to contact Tony Woodford please contact Mrs Anne Dossett-Davies 860357.
11
The West Mobile Library
provides a library service to the people of West
Oxfordshire and they visit Filkins fortnightly between
10.20 and 11.00am at the Village Hall
The dates for December 2014 are:
Thursday 4th & Thursday 18th
01367 860620
Day
Morning
Afternoon
Monday
9am to 12.30pm
1pm to 5pm
Tuesday
8.30am to 12.30pm
Closed
Wednesday
Closed
Closed
Thursday
9am to 12.30pm
Closed
Friday
Closed
1.30pm to 4.30pm
Filkins Community Shop opening times (from 1st Oct 2014)
01367 860239
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
10 - 12
10 - 12
10 - 12
9 - 12
-
3.00 – 5.00
3.00 – 5.00
3.00 – 5.00
3.00 – 5.00
3.00 – 5.00
3.00 – 5.00
3.00 – 5.00
Fresh bread and Croissants on Satur day mor nings along with 'Cook' pr oducts, fr esh vegetables, eggs
and much more!
Look!
Did you know you can order your game, poultry, meats, sausages and much more through
the Village Shop?.. just order and collect.. All meat comes from Cutler & Bayliss in Lechlade.
Filkins Village Shop also offers a Dry Cleaning Service. All this on your doorstep... support your local Village Shop…
Remember to check the shop page on the website (www.filkins.org.uk) for more shop info, updates and future
events. You can also find details about our e-mail Wine Offer there.
Use it or loose it - please Shop Shop Shop!! Operated by our community for our community. To call the Village Shop during opening hours ring 01367 860239 Open 6 days a week by a mix of paid staff and volunteers.
12
13
Sudoku
St Filica
Marquee & Gazebo Hire
I
f you’re having a party don’t forget that St Filica has a range of marquees and gazebos for rent by local
residents. Ideal for both sunny and not so sunny days, they range from a 60’ x 30’ marquee to a 6m x 4m
gazebo, available with tables, chairs and matting.
Please contact Andy Keating for details:
[email protected]
14
Committee
Members
Chair:
Mary Bohm
Vice:
Cris Hoad
2015
Events!
St Filica Events for 2015
S
t Filica committee members are working hard to bring you more fun
filled events throughout 2015. Some provisional dates for your diaries
are listed below. Keep your eye out for more details in future newsletters.
In the meantime, we are always looking for volunteers to help with the running of our villages’ events. Budding chefs and sous-chefs, marquee erectors, serving staff and other general helpers should contact one of the committee members if they would like to get involved. If you have an idea for an event for the villages that you think would be fun and
would help raise funds, again, please contact any of the committee members listed opposite.
Secretary:
12th February 2015: St Filica AGM .
Helen Holden
Date TBC: 11th July 2015 Our Infamous Biannual Summer Ball!!!!
Date TBC: Our Ever Popular Quiz Nights 7th March 2015 & 17th October 2015
Treasurer:
Mandy Scott
Other
Members:
About St. Filica
Andy Macer
Kevin Jakeman
Debbie Law
Amy Geschke
Ian Cutmore
Andy Keating
Freda Shrouder
Articles for publication should be sent to [email protected] .
They should reach us no later than the 17th of the month prior
to publication.
The St. Filica Society was formed over 20 years ago. Its aim
is to “have fun” by organizing events in the village. St. Filica
is a society and as such anyone can become a member.
Membership is £2.00 per person per year. Monies raised pay
for all the events that St. Filica stage throughout the year as well as the production of the
Newsletter and the annual Calendar. Any surplus funds raised during the year are offered
back into the community via the village clubs and societies though a bidding and voting
system which is finalised at the AGM each February. Everyone is invited to the AGM but
only members are entitled to vote on the to decide the distribution.
If you are interested in joining or in helping out with any St. Filica activities, please contact
Mary Bohm [email protected]
To find out more, visit the St. Filica website at:
http://www.filkins.org.uk/st_filica.html
15
December 2014
Mon
1
Tue
2
Wed
3
Thu
4
Aerobics
8
9
10
11
Aerobics
15
22
16
17
Christmas
Carols
Aerobics
23
24
30
Sat
Sun
5
6
7
Grey Bins
Father
Christmas
12
13
14
20
21
27
28
Green Bins
18
19
Grey Bins
25
26
It’s Christmas!
29
Fri
31
Recycling &
Food Bins
only
16