Nicola Blackwood MP – Rural and National issues raised at Appleton: Nicola Blackwood, MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, visited Appleton on Saturday 22nd January to see for herself the recent refurbishment of the Appleton Community Shop (ACS) and to meet villagers.

Villager Graham Rose said: “It was good to have Nicola visit Appleton and she met some of the key members of the shop management committee and was briefed on the eleven-year history of ACS and the £30,000 refurbishment completed last year.

“Other rural issues raised by residents included the need for faster Broadband in the parish, plans by the Environment Agency to mechanise paddles and rymers at Northmoor Weir, the importance of a successful pub in a rural community and the Botley Library – and Oxfordshire County Council plans for its future. “

Jerry Uren, chairman of the ACS management group, raised the effect exorbitant oil prices have on rural communities and the need for a thorough investigation of oil firms such as boilerjuice.com, and their undisclosed ownership of oil delivery firms and the Sunday Times allegation of price fixing.”

The £30,000 refurbishment of the shop was funded by a combination of self-funding and a couple of generous donations from the local community. The work was carried out by Appleton builders WG Carter and the electrical work by villager Paul Taylor’s firm Advanced Electrical Systems.